The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Donald Edward Bonsper (MCSN: 0-91908), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving in the Republic of Vietnam on 9 January 1968. An Assistant Battalion Advisor to the Second Vietnamese Marine Battalion during Operation SONG THAN 810, Dinh Tuong Province, Captain Bonsper was with the lead helicopter assault companies. Captain Bonsper, with two companies, engaged in a sharp encounter with the Viet Cong 1261B Main Force Battalion. Unhesitatingly Captain Bonsper moved to exposed forward positions from which he skillfully directed and controlled U.S. helicopter gunships against the enemy. The battle raged for approximately seven hours against the well camouflaged, entrenched enemy. After prolonged engagement in close contact with the enemy force, the unit expended nearly all of its ammunition. Captain Bonsper called for a resupply of ammunition for his beleaguered unit. Stationing himself in the only available helicopter landing site, which was an open field between his unit and the enemy, Captain Bonsper courageously, and in plain view of the enemy, directed the gunships and Marines’ suppressive fires in an attempt to bring in an ammunition-laden helicopter. One of the gunships was hit and the resupply attempt was abandoned. In one hour, as darkness fell, another attempt to resupply the Marines was made. Once more Captain Bonsper moved from a covered position without regard for his own personal safety and into the fire-swept landing zone, using his unshielded flashlight as a guiding beacon. The Viet Cong immediately concentrated their fires on this light, however Captain Bonsper remained in the exposed position directing the resupply helicopter into the landing zone and at the same time, directing the suppressive fires of the supporting gunships. Upon discharge of the desperately needed cargo, Captain Bonsper directed and supervised the evacuation of the seriously wounded aboard the same helicopter. Captain Bonsper’s unit, upon replenishment of ammunition, subsequently succeeded in driving the numerically superior enemy from the field of battle. His indomitable spirit, courage in the face of extreme personal danger and superior professionalism were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.