The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Josh Billups (MCSN: 2471975), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Machine Gunner with Company K, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 12 February 1969, during Operation DEWEY CANYON, Lance Corporal Billups’ platoon was directed to seize a designated hill, and as the Marines maneuvered up the slope, they came under a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire and rocket-propelled grenades from a North Vietnamese Army force occupying well-concealed bunkers. Alertly observing a hostile emplacement which was threatening his companions, Lance Corporal Billups completely disregarded his own safety, and racing up the fire-swept slope of the hill, initiated an aggressive assault upon the enemy machine gun position and was seriously wounded while killing the three North Vietnamese soldiers occupying the bunker. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his unit’s seizing the objective. By his courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Lance Corporal Billups contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his platoon’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.