The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major [then Captain] Jesse D. Bennett, Jr. (MCSN: 0-81265), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as the Commanding Officer of Company L, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 21 June 1968, while participating in Operation MAMELUKE THRUST in Quang Nam Province, Major Bennett led his unit as the point element in a battalion-size heliborne attack against a North Vietnamese Army company in the Happy Valley area and, after landing, aggressively directed his Marines in routing the enemy and securing a landing zone for the rest of the battalion. Moving with the point to more effectively control his unit, he was leading his men up precipitous mountain terrain under a dense jungle canopy when the company came under intense machine gun and automatic weapons fire from a well-entrenched hostile force. Rapidly assessing the situation, Major Bennett completely disregarded his own safety as he shouted words of encouragement to his Marines and fearlessly charged the enemy positions, personally killing three North Vietnamese soldiers and capturing one. Inspired by his heroic actions, the remainder of his company aggressively assaulted the enemy emplacements and quickly routed the hostile force. A meticulous search of the area uncovered an extremely large ammunition cache, including approximately 100 rockets, 33 rocket launchers, 77 rocket fuze assemblies, and vast quantities of other enemy weapons and ammunition. Recognizing the importance of the captured material and reasonably assured that the North Vietnamese would make every effort to recapture or destroy these vital supplies, he quickly established a defensive perimeter and resolutely elected to remain in the area through the night. During frequent hostile probes against the position, Major Bennett repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire as he boldly moved across the hazardous terrain to encourage his men and direct their defensive fires, successfully repulsing each North Vietnamese attack. By his courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Major Bennett was instrumental in his company accounting for twenty-two North Vietnamese soldiers killed and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.