The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Wesley D. Day (MCSN: 2365134), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with Company L, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 26 November 1967, during Operation FOSTER, Private First Class Day was moving his squad to join an adjacent Marine company when it suddenly came under intense enemy small-arms and automatic weapons fire temporarily pinning down h is men in the vicinity of Phu Long. Immediately assessing the situation, he completely disregarded his own safety as he exposed himself to hostile fire to advance to a position from which he delivered a steady volume of suppressive fire that enabled his squad to move and make contact with the adjoining Marines. Realizing that fire from an enemy machine-gun position nearby would inflict numerous casualties on his men, he exhibited exceptional courage and bold determination as he advanced in the face of heavy hostile fire to within twenty-five meters of the machine gun where he destroyed the position single-handedly. When he came under concentrated sniper fire, Private First Class Day fearlessly held his position and continued delivering heavy fire against the hostile soldiers until he was mortally wounded and succumbed on the battlefield. By his bold initiative, dauntless courage, and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Private First Class Day undoubtedly saved many of his fellow Marines from injury or possible death and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.