The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Alexander J. Caro (MCSN: 2242963), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifleman with Company M, Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 27 January 1968, during Operation LANCASTER II, Lance Corporal Caro’s company was attacked by an estimated reinforced North Vietnamese Army battalion and sustained numerous casualties. Observing that an entire machine gun team was wounded in the initial assault and unable to deliver fire, Lance Corporal Caro volunteered to place the weapon back in action. After courageously moving across the fire-swept area to the gun emplacement, he immediately delivered accurate machine gun fire on the advancing enemy soldiers, killing three of them. When his weapon was hit by an enemy round, he utilized a field expedient to quickly repair the damage and continued to deliver suppressive fire until his ammunition was expended. Undaunted by his lack of fire power, he moved up the trail and retrieved a full box of grenades which was the target of enemy automatic weapons fire. Returning to his position, he fearlessly stood up in order to draw hostile fire and locate concealed enemy positions. As he drew fire, he threw a grenade and boldly repeated this procedure until he expended all of his grenades. When Marines in the area were re-supplied with ammunition, Lance Corporal Caro again moved up the trail through enemy fire, obtained needed machine gun ammunition, returned to his position and continued to deliver a heavy volume of suppressive fire, which prevented the enemy from infiltrating the company’s perimeter. By his courageous actions, initiative and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Lance Corporal Caro upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.