The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Otis Eugene Boss, Jr. (MCSN: 2363521), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a 4.2 inch Mortar Forward Observer with Company F, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 2 May 1968, Company F was attacking a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force occupying the village of Dinh To in Quang Tri Province. During the ensuing fire fight, the company was forced to withdraw and Lance Corporal Boss became separated from his unit and surrounded by the advancing enemy soldiers. Lying in an area dangerously exposed to the intense fire, he immediately utilized his radio to establish communications with supporting armed helicopters and commenced directing repeated strafing runs on hostile forces near his position. Undaunted by the accurate enemy fire impacting around him, he fearlessly continued his determined efforts for approximately two hours, which resulted in numerous North Vietnamese soldiers killed and enabled his unit to evacuate its casualties. Skillfully coordinating his movement with an aerial observer, he crawled through the enemy soldiers to a position from which he was extracted by helicopter. His heroic actions and bold initiative inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his courage, resolute determination and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Lance Corporal Boss upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.