The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Joseph O. Brisco (MCSN: 2450884), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with Company H, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 20 August 1969, while serving as the lead element of a platoon-sized combat patrol operating five miles northwest of the Rockpile in Quang Tri Province, Corporal Brisco’s squad came under intense machine gun and automatic weapons fire from a well-concealed enemy force which caused several casualties and temporarily pinned the Marines down in an open area. Although he had sustained multiple fragmentation wounds from the explosion of an enemy grenade, Corporal Brisco quickly rallied his squad and directed the fire of his men at the hostile force. During the ensuing fire fight, he repeatedly disregarded his own safety as he moved from one position to another, encouraging and directing his men and supervising the recovery of the wounded. When all the casualties had been moved to a secure area, Corporal Brisco boldly remained in the forward area and provided a base of fire while his patrol reorganized and withdrew to more advantageous positions. Then, steadfastly refusing medical treatment,, he remained with his wounded men, encouraging and comforting them until they were medically evacuated. His extraordinary fortitude and bold fighting spirit inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his professionalism, superb leadership and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk, Corporal Brisco upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.