The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Johnny P. Callaway (MCSN: 2474595), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company B, First Reconnaissance Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 29 November 1968, Private First Class Callaway was a member of a reconnaissance patrol assigned to establish an observation post south of DaNang in support of Operation MEADE RIVER. As the Marines neared the proposed location, a North Vietnamese soldier was observed moving toward what appeared to be a bunker complex. In order to assess the situation, Private First Class Callaway was assigned as a member of a four-man scout team that was directed to make a more detailed observation of the suspected enemy position. As the team maneuvered through four foot high elephant grass, two of the Marines were seriously wounded by intense hostile automatic weapons fire. Reacting instantly, Private First Class Callaway returned fire against the enemy and then unhesitatingly crawled through the limited protection of the elephant grass to aid his two injured comrades. Realizing the gravity of his comrades’ injuries, he fearlessly exposed himself to the hostile fire on numerous occasions as he moved across the open area from one man to the other, tending to their wounds. Observing a helicopter attacking the bunker complex, he marked his position with a smoke grenade in order to prevent the helicopters from firing on the area where the two wounded Marines were lying, fully realizing that this action would draw additional enemy fire in his direction. When, after five hours, both men succumbed to their wounds, he threw grenades at the enemy bunkers and, after gathering his comrades’ weapons and ammunition, maneuvered to the location of a reaction force and gave it a complete report on the hostile position and directions on how to evacuate the Marines that were killed in action. By his courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Private First Class Callaway upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.