The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain George Sanford Burgett (MCSN: 0-88652), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 13 October 1966, while engaged in a search and clear mission near the Demilitarized Zone in Quang Tri Province, the lead platoon of Captain Burgett’s Company came under sniper fire from an undetermined number of North Vietnamese Army forces in concealed positions. Suffering several casualties from the initial burst of fire, the platoon was temporarily pinned down as the volume of fire intensified. Unhesitatingly, and with complete disregard for his own safety, Captain Burgett rushed forward to the beleaguered unit, evaluated the situation and deployed his two remaining platoons to envelop the enemy’s positions. While directing the assault on the enemy, he supervised the removal of the wounded to a place of relative safety, directed the preparation of a landing zone, and called for helicopters to evacuate the seriously wounded. Repeatedly exposed to heavy enemy fire, Captain Burgett moved from position to position directing the assault and encouraging his men. Under his exceptional leadership, the enemy positions were destroyed, more than seven enemy were killed, and numerous weapons were captured. His superior professional ability and dauntless fighting spirit inspired all who observed him, were instrumental in defeating the enemy, and in preventing further casualties to his unit. By his extraordinary courage, bold initiative, and selfless devotion to duty, Captain Burgett upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.