The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Gary Edward Carlson (MCSN: 0-87394), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against Communist insurgent forces while serving as the Assistant Advisor to the Second Battalion, Vietnamese Marine Brigade, in the Phong Dien Area, Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 29 June 1966. Captain Carlson was accompanying the lead elements of a motor convoy north of Hue when the battalion was surprised by a reinforced Viet Cong battalion in a well-laid and skillfully executed ambush. Numerous casualties were taken by the Marine unit in the opening minutes of the engagement. When Captain Carlson was notified by the Senior Advisor that the Battalion Commander had been wounded and the command group nearly annihilated, he assumed command, and commenced obtaining, directing and adjusting artillery and air strikes against the enemy. He unhesitatingly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire to coordinate friendly air strikes and artillery fire. As a result, he was able to maintain a constant barrage on the enemy positions which inflicted heavy casualties and caused the early withdrawal of the Viet Cong forces. Additionally, with a radio antenna marking him as a prime target, he moved from one friendly position to another to direct defensive fire at enemy strong points. As the enemy began withdrawing, Captain Carlson helped to regroup all elements of the battalion and directed the staging of all dead and wounded for quick evacuation. During the 40 minutes of fighting, Captain Carlson displayed indomitable courage under direct fire of enemy forces without regard for his own safety. By his skillful coordination of supporting fires and his accurate designation of targets and enemy positions, he personally contributed to the prevention of a possible annihilation of the battalion by Viet Cong forces. Captain Carlson’s dedication to duty under conditions of extreme stress and his professional skill reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.