The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Bernis Burl Conatser (MCSN: 0-87397), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Senior Marine Advisor, First Battalion, Vietnamese Marine Corps, while conducting combat operations in the Chuong Thien Province, Republic of Vietnam. At approximately 0220 on 22 January 1970, elements of the First Battalion consisting of the Battalion Headquarters and one rifle company came under enemy attack. The enemy mounted a coordinated mortar and ground attack against the Battalion Command Post perimeter and succeeded in overrunning an outpost and penetrating the Battalion position. Under a heavy volume of mortar, B-40 rockets and heavy automatic weapons fire, Captain Conatser moved from his position and joined six Vietnamese Marines in an effort to reach the Battalion Commander. Heavy enemy fire forced the group to disperse whereupon Captain Conatser with two Vietnamese Marines led an assault to clear the area around the structure. During the assault one Marine was seriously wounded; however, Captain Conatser pressed the assault. An exploding rocket round knocked him off his feet, separating him from the Vietnamese Marines. Upon recovering he determined that the Battalion Commander had relocated his Command Post, therefore he moved toward the new position. En route he encountered several wounded Marines whom he moved to safety and administered first aid. He continued through the battle area, located the Battalion Commander, assisted him in regrouping his forces for a counterattack while simultaneously relaying information to the Senior Marine Brigade Advisor by radio. At approximately 0345 air support was provided. Captain Conatser described the situation while exposing himself to danger by leaving his position and standing in the open with his strobe light blinking for approximately 45 minutes under a hail of enemy fire while skillfully coordinating the delivery of aircraft ordnance on the enemy force. As a result of his daring and professional skill the force of the enemy attack was blunted and the enemy was ejected from the perimeter. Although wounded, he refused evacuation and remained in his position for an additional six hours supervising medical evacuation operations. Captain Conatser’s steadfastness and courage in the face of extreme personal danger contributed significantly to the victory of the First Battalion. His actions and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.