The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Jack Centers (MCSN: 2139630), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as the Squad Leader, Third Squad, Company E, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against North Vietnamese Army Forces in the Republic of Vietnam, on 14 May 1967. At about 0300 two platoons of Company E, located in a company defensive position, were violently attacked by a company of North Vietnamese Regulars. Corporal Centers and his eight-man squad were defending the portion of the position that bore the brunt of the fierce attack. The enemy repeatedly attacked his squad while firing automatic and semi-automatic weapons and throwing hand grenades. Within minutes one member of his squad was killed in action and three others wounded. Corporal Centers received a serous and painful gun shot wound in his lower back in the first thirty minutes of combat. Unable to stand or walk because of the wound, Corporal Centers constantly crawled to the positions occupied by his remaining squad members for two and one-half hours to reorganize his squad to meet each new attack and to offer words of encouragement to his men. In addition he continued to operate his squad radio to maintain contact with his platoon and to personally fire and throw grenades at the enemy. His heroic and daring actions, his complete disregard for his own painful wound, his display of superior leadership and his extreme professional skill served as a constant inspiration to his men during the three long hours of fighting. When his squad was relieved by reinforcements, at 0600, his squad, all wounded, were treated. By his courage, leadership and loyal devotion to duty, Corporal Centers upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.