The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Ronald Eugene Burton (MCSN: 2367230), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifleman with Company E, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 12 May 1968, Lance Corporal Burton’s unit was participating in Operation ALLEN BROOK in Quang Nam Province when the Marines came under intense enemy automatic weapons and mortar fire and sustained several casualties. Undaunted by the heavy volume of hostile fire, he began carrying his injured comrades to protected positions when he observed his wounded platoon commander lying in an open area. Disregarding his personal safety, he began to maneuver across the fire-swept terrain when he was seriously wounded in the leg by enemy .50 caliber machine gun fire. Ignoring his injury, Lance Corporal Burton continued to move forward, killing two enemy soldiers en route. Upon reaching the wounded officer, he moved him to an area of relative safety. Assisted by a companion, Lance Corporal Burton carried the injured Marine to a medical evacuation point and, returning across 100 meters of hazardous terrain, continued to assist the casualties for approximately two hours until he collapsed from loss of blood and exhaustion. By his extraordinary courage, resolute determination and selfless devotion to duty despite his serious wounds, Lance Corporal Burton upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.