The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal David J. Carlton (MCSN: 2259576), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Radio Operator with Company C, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 1 August 1967. Corporal Carlton was attached to the Second Platoon of Company C and engaged in Operation PIKE, a major search and destroy operation south of DaNang. The platoon was crossing an open rice paddy when it came under intense small arms fire, rockets, and grenades from well concealed and fortified enemy positions which immediately wounded two Marines. The platoon promptly returned fire and maneuvered to a nearby tree line inadvertently leaving the two wounded Marines in the exposed area. Realizing the wounded Marines were exposed to the enemy fire, Corporal Carlton unhesitatingly and with full knowledge of the personal risk involved, rushed back into the exposed area and braved the enemy fire to reach their side. For a full ten minutes, he remained in the exposed area treating the wounded until a Corpsman came to his assistance. Upon being informed by the Corpsman that the wounded required immediate evacuation, Corporal Carlton again braved the enemy fire and dashed back to the Marine position. Arriving, he quickly and competently organized an evacuation party and personally led their charge back into the fire-swept area. Corporal Carlton’s courageous action and unswerving devotion to his comrades on the field of battle were halted only when he himself was mortally wounded just prior to reaching the wounded Marines with the evacuation party. As a result of Corporal Carlton’s valiant and heroic action, the lives of the two wounded Marines were saved at the supreme sacrifice of his own, and he reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps, and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.