The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Byron Eugene Bryan, Jr. (MCSN: 0-100083), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company K, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 30 April 1968, Company K was directed to assist a friendly unit which was heavily engaged with a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force near Cam Vu in Quang Tri Province and had sustained numerous casualties. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, First Lieutenant Bryan immediately maneuvered his company to an advantageous position on the enemy’s flank and unhesitatingly commenced advancing toward the well-entrenched hostile force. Ignoring the accurate automatic weapons, mortar and artillery fire impacting near him, he boldly moved among his men, shouting words of encouragement and skillfully adjusting the fire of supporting arms. Disregarding his own safety, he fearlessly led a determined assault on the enemy emplacements which forced the North Vietnamese soldiers to flee in panic and confusion. Continuing his determined efforts, First Lieutenant Bryan quickly established a defensive perimeter and directed the delivery of a heavy volume of fire on the retreating enemy, enabling the friendly unit to evacuate its casualties. His superior leadership and bold initiative inspired all who served with him and were instrumental in his unit accounting for seventy-four North Vietnamese soldiers confirmed killed. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, First Lieutenant Bryan upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.