The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Richard D. Cecil (MCSN: 1127963), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Tank Commander with Company C, Third Tank Battalion, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 20 May 1966, Sergeant Cecil’s tank was one of two occupying defensive positions with a platoon of infantry. In the pre-dawn hours, their positions were subjected to a devastating attack by anti-tank weapons and intense mortar and small arms fire from an estimated Viet Cong Company. The initial fire killed one of his crewmen immediately and disabled the other two. In spite of the heavy fire, Sergeant Cecil mounted his tank alone and placed his guns in operation, repeatedly loading and firing the main gun in the midst of the vicious Viet Cong action in which his tank was penetrated three times by anti-tank fire. Learning that all local communications had been destroyed by enemy fire, he placed his damaged tank radio into operation and directed artillery fire upon the enemy. Completely disregarding his own safety, Sergeant Cecil, on numerous occasions during the hour-long battle, dismounted the tank under fire and calmly conferred withy his platoon leader and the infantry in order to coordinate his tank fire. His actions were instrumental in repulsing the attack and inflicted numerous Viet Cong casualties. By his daring actions and loyal devotion to duty in the face of grave personal risk, Sergeant Cecil upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.