The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Donald L. Bryant (MCSN: 2009710), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company G, Second Battalion, Twenty-sixth Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 4 October 1968, Sergeant Bryant was maneuvering his platoon up a hill during a reconnaissance in force near the Ben Hai River in Quang Tri Province when the Marines were pinned down by a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire and a hand grenade attack from determined enemy force occupying a well-fortified bunker complex. Pinpointing the source of hostile fire, Sergeant Bryant directed his men to provide covering fire to within a foot of the path he intended to move over and, completely disregarding his own safety fearlessly raced up the hill to the enemy bunker. Exposing himself to the enemy fire, he threw a white phosphorous grenade into the enemy position, forcing the defending hostile soldiers to flee in panic and enabling his unit to seize its objective. By his courage, bold initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Sergeant Bryant inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.