The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Roger L. Billings (MCSN: 2361338), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Grenadier with Company D, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 22 February 1968, during Operation HUE CITY, Company D was attacking a well entrenched enemy force, and as the Marines maneuvered forward, the unit came under a heavy volume of small arms and automatic weapons fire. When the company’s advance began to lose momentum, due to the intense enemy fire, Lance Corporal billings unhesitatingly moved to an exposed area and directed a heavy volume of accurate M-79 grenade launcher fire upon the hostile positions, which suppressed the enemy fire and enabled his company to continue its forward movement. Alertly observing several enemy soldiers thirty-five meters to his front who were delivering intense automatic weapons fire upon the assaulting Marines and disrupting the advance, he courageously ran across the fire-swept terrain, assaulted the enemy position and killed five North Vietnamese soldiers. Undaunted by the hostile rounds impacting around him, he continued to move about the hazardous area, directing effective grenade launcher fire upon the enemy positions throughout the attack. His aggressive fighting spirit and heroic actions were an inspiration to all who observed him and contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his courage, bold initiative and unfaltering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Lance Corporal Billings upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.