The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Robert Arthur Branscombe (MCSN: 2157195), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with Combined Action Platoon B-1, Second Combined Action Group, Third Marine Amphibious Force, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 6 February 1968, Sergeant Branscombe led a combined action patrol near the hamlet of Thon Thai Lai to investigate suspected enemy activity. Upon entering a wooded area, the patrol suddenly came under intense small arms, automatic weapons and mortar fire from an estimated company size North Vietnamese Army unit. Four members of the patrol were wounded, including Sergeant Branscombe, who was rendered unconscious. After regaining consciousness, he quickly reorganized his patrol’s defenses and directed the return fire of his men. Disregarding the intense hostile fire, he then skillfully administered first aid to the casualties. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, he used his radio to request reinforcements and call in artillery fire on the enemy positions. With his unit surrounded, he fearlessly exposed himself to the hostile fire and delivered accurate M-79 Grenade Launcher fire at the enemy, enabling him to penetrate the North Vietnamese cordon and maneuver his patrol to a more defensible position. Quickly reestablishing a perimeter defense, he continued to expose himself to the hostile fire and move from one position to anther, shouting words of encouragement to his men and directing their fire. The heavy volume of fire delivered by his men and the accurate supporting arms fire directed by Sergeant Branscombe killed thirty North Vietnamese soldiers and forced the remainder of the hostile force to break contact and flee, abandoning twenty automatic rifles, forty anti-tank rocket rounds and numerous hand grenades and other explosive devices. Largely due to his professionalism and superb leadership, he prevented his unit from being overrun and undoubtedly prevented a large enemy force from attacking the city of DaNang. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Sergeant Branscombe contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.