The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Terry P. Burns (MCSN: 0-86169), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company M, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 3 March 1969, a squad-sized patrol of the First Platoon was pinned down on the slopes of Hill 332 in Quang Nam Province by the fire of a North Vietnamese Army company. Hearing gunfire, Captain Burns quickly organized a relief force and, moving with the point element, led his men against the enemy. Fearlessly exposing himself to intense automatic weapons fire, he maneuvered from one position to another, directing his men in establishing a base of fire which enabled the beleaguered Marines to withdraw to a more tenable position. Continuing to advance, Captain Burns moved to the point of heaviest contact and directed the covering fire of his machine gunners as his men attempted to reach the Marine casualties. Despite the efforts of his unit, increased resistance from the well-entrenched hostile force made it necessary for Captain Burns to withdraw his company until the following day, when he again led a determined attack on the enemy emplacements in an effort to recover the wounded Marines. As a result of his valiant efforts, his men were able to retrieve one of their comrades. After skillfully directing artillery fire and air strikes upon the hostile positions, Captain Burns personally led three assaults against the enemy force but was continually thwarted in his recovery efforts. Determined to reach the casualties, he was subsequently inserted into the area with a squad from the First Force Reconnaissance Company, and was successful in retrieving the remaining casualties. By his courage, aggressive leadership and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Captain Burns upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.