The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Paul R. Catalogne (MCSN: 0-88796), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company C, Third Engineer Battalion, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. From 27 to 30 July 1967, Captain Catalogne commanded a detachment of combat engineers attached to the Second Battalion, Ninth Marines during a search and clear operation against North Vietnamese forces which were concentrating in the southern portion of the Demilitarized Zone north of Con Thien. Displaying outstanding professional skill and knowledge, he directed the construction of defenses around the village of Than Cam Son on the Ben Hai River and destroyed more than one hundred enemy bunkers and fortifications in the area. In addition, Captain Catalogne located a major source of water used by the enemy and supervised the destruction of its pumping and distribution system. On 29 July, as the battalion was withdrawing from the area after completing its mission, it came under heavy enemy mortar and small arms fire and a grenade and rocket attack. Simultaneously, the lead element of the forward engineer clearing teams was subjected to command detonated mines and small arms fire. Rapidly assessing the situation, Captain Catalogne, exposing himself to the intense hostile fire, unhesitatingly moved forward in order to direct the engineer operations vital to the movement of the remainder of the armored column. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he expertly directed the use of heavy engineer vehicles and explosives to destroy the enemy minefield, thus enabling the battalion to proceed without the loss of a single vehicle. Subsequently, when supporting fixed wing aircraft were endangered by heavy enemy machine gun fire, Captain Catalogne courageously led a small group of Marines in a daring assault against the enemy position, killing the gun crew and destroying the weapon and its ammunition. Throughout the entire operation, his steadfast determination and indomitable fighting spirit inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his extraordinary courage, outstanding leadership, and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Captain Catalogne upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.