The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Manuel Trevino Chavarria (MCSN: 1638209), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company B, First Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 22 March 1967, during Operation BEACON HILL I, a squad-size patrol became heavily engaged with a numerically superior enemy force near the hamlet of Long Son. Realizing that the squad needed assistance, Staff Sergeant Chavarria quickly organized reinforcements and proceeded to the squad’s position. Finding the beleaguered squad temporarily pinned down by heavy enemy fire and grenades, he observed several wounded men lying in a position exposed to enemy fire. Disregarding his own safety, Staff Sergeant Chavarria courageously moved across the fire-swept terrain and moved the wounded to a covered area. While reorganizing his men, he observed a well concealed enemy position which was delivering heavy fire upon the Marines. Displaying uncommon aggressiveness, he immediately set up a base of fire, assaulted the position and destroyed the enemy weapons. In addition, when a Viet Cong soldier began firing from another concealed position, Staff Sergeant Chavarria boldly seized a captured machine gun and killed the Viet Cong in his entrenched spider hole. His fearless determination and heroic actions under heavy enemy fire inspired his fellow Marines and contributed significantly to the successful evacuation of the squad. By his inspiring leadership, courageous actions and selfless devotion to duty, Staff Sergeant Chavarria upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.