The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Marcus R. Bell (MCSN: 2197635), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with the Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 13 May 1967, while leading the point squad during Operation UNION near Phouc Duc (4) in Quang Tin Province, Corporal Bell distinguished himself by his courageous actions under enemy fire. Assigned the mission of relieving another Marine unit, the platoon had moved across the crest of a hill and was advancing down the forward slope when it came under intense and accurate enemy small arms, automatic weapons and mortar fire from a tree line approximately 250 meters to its front. Although he was momentarily pinned down by the heavy volume of enemy fire, Corporal Bell alertly observed an enemy machine gun position across an open rice paddy and directed a fire team to maneuver forward under the protection of M-60 machine gun fire. While skillfully leading his men against the enemy position, he was severely wounded in both legs. Disregarding his painful wounds, Corporal Bell continued to direct his squad, positioning his men in a hedgerow which offered good fields of fire, observation and some concealment. Refusing medical aid until a wounded comrade had been treated, he shouted words of encouragement to his men while he remained in the exposed field, firing his M-79 grenade launcher at the enemy position. In large measure due to his inspiring leadership and courageous fighting spirit, his squad accounted for eleven North Vietnamese killed during the fierce encounter, contributing significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his extraordinary courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme danger, Corporal Bell upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.