The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Stanley W. Cheff (MCSN: 0-88234), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Leader with Company C, First Reconnaissance Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, near Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam, on 16 October 1965. While on a reconnaissance patrol, far forward of friendly lines, Company C was subjected to small arms fire delivered by insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces. One Marine was seriously wounded when a bullet smashed into his rifle magazine, exploding the ammunition. Due to the adverse weather conditions and the unfavorable configuration of the terrain, communications could not be established with friendly units, precluding the use of emergency helicopter evacuation. Enemy were known to be in the immediate area. Fully realizing the dangers involved, First Lieutenant Cheff unhesitatingly volunteered to lead two of his teams to the high ground some eight thousand meters distant, or beyond if necessary, in order to effect communications. Understanding the importance of speed in saving the wounded Marine’s life, First Lieutenant Cheff courageously set out at an exhausting pace on a forced march over precarious route which included approximately five thousand, five hundred meters of terrain often used by the Viet Cong. While en route, an eight-man enemy force was encountered. Displaying courage, aggressiveness and decisiveness, First Lieutenant Cheff led his men in a fierce assault on the enemy position, killing one guerrilla and wounding four others while sustaining no Marine casualties. Realizing the importance of his original mission, he stopped only briefly to search the enemy, finding various documents of significant value. Continuing on with the original mission, First Lieutenant Cheff and his men managed to move the entire eight thousand meters, over extremely difficult jungle terrain, in just three hours. When helicopters were dispatched for the evacuation, they were unable to locate the position of the main body. Demonstrating exceptional professional skill, First Lieutenant Cheff effectively directed the aircraft to the position. His heroic actions and superior skill throughout resulted in saving the lives of the originally wounded Marine and another who was since wounded, in addition to inflicting five enemy casualties. By his inspiring devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Cheff upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.