The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain David W. Blizzard (MCSN: 0-100870), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against North Vietnamese and Viet Cong communist aggressors in the Republic of Vietnam, on 9 November 1971. While serving as an Infantry Ground Advisor in the Rung Sat Special Zone, Captain Blizzard and the squads he was advising came under sudden and heavy small arms fire. The initial burst of fire seriously wounded one soldier. Captain Blizzard quickly reorganized the position of the troops and directed them to secure a helicopter landing zone in order to evacuate the wounded. After calling for a helicopter, he unhesitatingly and at great personal risk ran fifty meters into the enemy hail of fire, hoisted the wounded man to his shoulders and proceeded to carry him some 300 meters to the landing zone. After the wounded had been evacuated, Captain Blizzard then physically rallied the force, took charge and led the squad on an assault of the enemy position, killing one Viet Cong and capturing another high ranking Viet Cong officer. Captain Blizzard’s courage under fire, exemplary leadership, devotion to duty and professionalism reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.