The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Dennis Ray Blankenship (MCSN: 1690600), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with First, Force Reconnaissance Company in the Republic of Vietnam, on 20 May 1966. During the insertion of Staff Sergeant Blankenship’s Reconnaissance Platoon deep into enemy Viet Cong territory, they were immediately attacked as they debarked from the helicopter by an estimated 10 to 20 Viet Cong, throwing hand grenades and firing automatic weapons. Although painfully wounded by the first grenade explosion, Staff Sergeant Blankenship reacted instantly, ordering his troops to return fire and directing their movements into a defensive perimeter, courageously exposing himself to insure that all his men were accounted for and tactically deployed. Exhibiting daring and selfless disregard for his own safety, Staff Sergeant Blankenship marked the enemy positions with white phosphorous grenades and then directed the air strike by supporting aircraft. Displaying professional skill and heroic actions, Staff Sergeant Blankenship tightened his defensive perimeter, called for transport helicopters and marked his position. Still defending the landing zone, Staff Sergeant Blankenship supervised the loading of his entire platoon on the helicopters, himself being the last to load, and only after his platoon had safely departed the landing zone, did he allow his wounds to be treated. By his daring actions and loyal devotion to duty in the face of personal risk, Staff Sergeant Blankenship upheld the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.