The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Terence Michael Cullen (MCSN: 0-100156), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company L, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 1 June 1967, while conducting a search and destroy mission near Con Thien, the forward elements of Company L came under intense enemy automatic weapons fire from a well entrenched North Vietnamese Army force and, in the ensuing fire fight, sustained numerous casualties. Disregarding his own safety, Second Lieutenant Cullen unhesitatingly led his platoon across the fire-swept terrain to the point of contact, skillfully established an effective base of fire and directed supporting artillery fire on the enemy positions, thereby enabling the other platoons of the company to evacuate their casualties. When his platoon suddenly received a heavy volume of fire from its left flank and it was evident that it was seemingly entrapped in an ambush, he fearlessly exposed himself to the hostile fire to maneuver his men into more advantageous positions and readjust the artillery fire against the well concealed enemy. While exposing himself to the intense enemy fire to direct his unit and better observe the effect of the artillery fire, he was seriously wounded in the chest. Realizing that he was the only officer in this forward position, he steadfastly refused evacuation and remained with the platoon, continuing his close supervision of his unit until he was physically restrained from moving about by the platoon Corpsman. Finally, collapsing from the loss of blood, he allowed himself to be evacuated. His aggressive fighting spirit and heroic actions were an inspiration to all who observed him and contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his courage, exemplary leadership and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Second Lieutenant Cullen upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.