The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Gary V. Becham, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team leader with Company G, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 17 February 1969, Company G was conducting a search and clear operations twenty-five miles southeast of the Vandegrift Combat Base in Quang Tri Province when the lead platoon came under intense automatic weapons fire from well-concealed enemy positions. In the initial burst of hostile fire, the point man was mortally wounded and fell in open terrain directly in the line of fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, Lance Corporal Becham began to maneuver his fire team forward to retrieve the fallen Marine. Having been driven back by intense automatic weapons fire, he deployed his team to provide covering fire while he moved forward alone. With complete disregard for his own safety, Lance Corporal Becham continued to advance and had reached the side of the stricken Marine when he sustained multiple wounds in his leg and foot. Although in excruciating pain, he managed to move his fallen comrade out of the line of enemy fire and waited calmly until several Marines came to his aid. By his courage, unflagging determination and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Lance Corporal Becham upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.