The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Thomas Edwin Campbell (MCSN: 0-1543461), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as the Senior Advisor to the Second Battalion, Vietnamese Marine Brigade, in operations against the Viet Cong in the area of Phong Dien in Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 29 June 1966. Captain Campbell was with the command group during a motor convoy north of Hue when the battalion was hit suddenly be a reinforced Viet Cong battalion in an emplaced and skillfully camouflaged ambush. Numerous casualties were taken by the Marines unit in the opening minutes, and while moving toward a defensive position in a nearby railroad cut, the command group was nearly annihilated by assaulting Viet Cong infantry. Captain Campbell, disregarding the enemy grenades and rifle fire, assisted the wounded Battalion Commander and a wounded radio man before seeking cover. While rendering assistance he was wounded by a hand grenade but continued to give instructions to his counterpart by radio and attempted to seek help for the wounded. Captain Campbell finally effected a link-up with other Marines forces, resuming his advisor duties, and directing the evacuation of the dead and wounded. Throughout the engagement, Captain Campbell demonstrated great personal courage and dedication to duty in an extremely critical situation. Captain Campbell’s actions in assisting others while exposed to direct enemy fire and his refusal to accept treatment of his own wounds until others had been cared for reflected great credit upon himself and the advisory effort in Vietnam, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.