The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal John David Blair (MCSN: 2208761), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with Company I, Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 27 January 1968, while conducting a search and destroy operation north of Camp J. J. Carroll, Corporal Blair’s platoon came under a heavy volume of automatic weapons and recoilless rifle fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force and was pinned down. Reacting instantly, he skillfully maneuvered his squad forward and boldly led a determined assault on the enemy positions, personally killing five enemy soldiers and capturing two. As the platoon resumed its advance, it again became pinned down by accurate enemy fire. Quickly maneuvering his squad to an advantageous position, corporal Blair immediately directed his men to deliver a heavy volume of suppressive fire on the enemy and, accompanied by another Marine, crawled toward the hostile force. Completely disregarding his own safety, he courageously moved across the hazardous area and destroyed the hostile positions with hand grenades, thereby enabling his unit to continue its mission. His heroic actions and aggressive fighting spirit inspired all who observed him and were instrument al in the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Corporal Blair upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.