The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Gerald James Byrne, Jr. (MCSN: 2208181), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company H, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 10 September 1967, while serving as Point Man for a platoon size patrol, Private First Class Byrne alertly observed enemy positions to his front. Shouting a warning to his comrades, he immediately opened fire on the North Vietnamese force, delivering a heavy volume of accurate fire and killing three enemy soldiers. When the well entrenched and concealed hostile force returned fire, he disregarded his own safety and courageously remained in the open, firing his rifle and throwing grenades into the enemy emplacements only twenty meters away, until he had expended his supply of ammunition. Skillfully maneuvering across the fire-swept terrain, he obtained a re-supply of ammunition from a wounded Marine. While returning to his original position, he was seriously wounded and his weapon was shot from his hands and destroyed. Disregarding his painful injury and although unarmed, he remained near the enemy positions. Fearlessly exposing himself to the hostile fire, he ably assisted in adjusting numerous air strikes and often directed bombing and napalm missions to within thirty meters of his own position, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. During the following four hours, Private First Class Byrne repeatedly exposed himself to hostile fire to throw grenades into the enemy emplacements until, under cover of darkness, he was medically evacuated. His heroic actions and resolute determination were an inspiration to all who observed him and contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his steadfast courage, bold initiative and unfaltering devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Private First Class Byrne upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.