The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Herman Ray Brewer, Jr. (MCSN: 2055993), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Section Leader with Company A, First Amphibian Tractor Battalion, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 6 March 1967, while returning from a re-supply mission along the Song Vinh Dien River near DaNang, Sergeant Brewer’s section of two amphibian tractors received heavy enemy small arms, automatic weapons and recoilless rifle fire from well concealed enemy positions on both banks of the river. Instantly reacting to the Viet Cong ambush, he directed his crews in delivering effective fire on the enemy while fearlessly exposing himself to the enemy fire. Unable to remain aboard his severely damaged and sinking vehicle, he was forced to swim to the river bank. From his position of relative safety, he observed the second tractor stalled in the river and being subjected to a heavy volume of automatic weapons and recoilless rifle fire. In view of the seriousness of the situation, Sergeant Brewer unhesitatingly dove into the river and swam thirty meters to the crippled tractor where he assisted the crew and wounded, reorganized them and directed the employment of effective machine gun and small arms fire against the enemy positions. Restarting the vehicle, he skillfully maneuvered it to pick up survivors of the first tractor struggling against the swift current. After reorganizing his men and routing the Viet Cong, Sergeant Brewer drove the vehicle to a secure area where the casualties were evacuated. As a result of his bold initiative and daring actions, additional casualties were prevented and a valuable amphibian tractor was saved. By his uncommon courage, inspiring leadership and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk, Sergeant Brewer upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.