The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant John Joseph Cassidy, Jr. (MCSN: 0-90418), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company B, Third Reconnaissance Battalion, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces. During an extended patrol in the vicinity of Chu Lai on 13, 14 and 15 March 1966, First Lieutenant Cassidy exhibited exceptional valor and presence of mind in repeated situations of extreme danger. On the first day, First Lieutenant Cassidy established an ambush position near the hamlet of Thon Hai and directed his men in aggressive action which inflicted numerous casualties on the Viet Cong and enabled the Marines to capture several weapons and valuable documents. While the Marines were moving along a narrow rice paddy the next day, First Lieutenant Cassidy alertly spotted a guerrilla running along the opposite side of the paddy, Under his skillful direction, the Viet Cong was killed and a bundle of documents was recovered. As the platoon was moving across the paddy, intense enemy fire was encountered from the front. Responding immediately, First Lieutenant Cassidy ordered his machine gun positioned in a spot where effective suppressive fire could be delivered. His aggressive action caused the enemy to break contact and flee into the jungle. On the morning of 15 March, two ambushed were established and triggered, resulting in the deaths of two Viet Cong, three wounded and two captured. Additionally, the Marines captured a large packet of medical supplies and containers of rice. Later in the day, he and his men joined other elements of the patrol and were moving through a mountain pass toward the village of Duc Bo when extremely heavy automatic weapons fire was received. Ordered to envelop the enemy from the right flank, First Lieutenant Cassidy skillfully directed his men across a six foot deep river and into the brush before they were taken under fire by Viet Cong hiding among the rocks along the river. Ordered back, he maneuvered his men to their original position without sustaining any casualties. Following air strikes, the patrol continued its advance and had reached the designated helicopter landing zone when a heavy volume of enemy fire was initiated at the approaching aircraft. Demonstrating uncommon fortitude and keen judgment, First Lieutenant Cassidy directed his men to provide covering fire for the next. Firing his M-14 and shouting orders, he remained standing in the fire-swept zone until all but one helicopter had departed. When his ammunition was expended, he raced for the aircraft and began directing the machine gunner until the helicopter had cleared the zone. In the vicious fight, both the pilot and copilot were wounded, and the aircraft received twenty-two hits. The courage and initiative which First Lieutenant Cassidy demonstrated throughout the hazardous patrol served to inspire and motivate all who were involved in the action, and contributed directly to inflicting heavy losses on the enemy without sustaining casualties among his platoon. By his extraordinary leadership, resolute fighting spirit and unfaltering dedication to duty, First Lieutenant Cassidy upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.