The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Lawrence Kendrick Blair, III (MCSN: 1643102), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On the evening of 16 September 1966, during Operation DECKHOUSE IV, Sergeant Blair’s platoon, while moving rapidly toward its objective, was ambushed in the vicinity of Gia Binh Village in Quang Tri Province by a company-size enemy force. Receiving heavy automatic weapons fire from three directions, Sergeant Blair’s platoon immediately began an assault. Noticing that two squad leaders had been wounded during the initial exchange of fire, Sergeant Blair, with complete disregard for his own safety, advanced one hundred and fifty meters through heavy fire to assist in organizing the squads and continuing the assault. He strategically brought the platoon to a forward position and directed its fire, enabling the remainder of the Company to maneuver into position, Suddenly, automatic weapons fire erupted from an enemy bunker one hundred and eighty meters to the right front of his position. Sergeant Blair was wounded twice by this burst of fire, sustaining a wound in the right forearm and one in his right leg. Despite his wounds, he continued to lead an attack on the enemy position until, weakened and suffering from his condition, he was unable to continue and returned to the platoon position. Although in severe pain, he refused medical aid until the more seriously wounded were treated. Sergeant Blair’s determination and heroic actions under heavy enemy fire inspired his fellow Marines and contributed significantly to the successful accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his uncommon leadership, courageous actions and selfless devotion to duty, Sergeant Blair upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.