The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Larry W. Durham (MCSN: 2113914), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Combat Engineer with Company H, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 31 March 1968, Company H was conducting a search and destroy operation in Quang Tri Province when the Marines suddenly came under a heavy volume of small arms, automatic weapons and grenade launcher fire from a well entrenched North Vietnamese Army force. During the ensuing assault upon the enemy emplacements, the lead element was temporarily halted and sustained several casualties, including Corporal Durham. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, he maneuvered across the hazardous area to the company’s rearward position and obtained a demolition charge. Ignoring his painful injuries, he returned to the point of heaviest contact and began crawling toward the hostile positions. Moving to within a few meters of the enemy soldiers, he ignited the demolition charge fuze and allowed it to burn until only a few second remained. Ignoring the hostile fire impacting around him, he then fearlessly ran to the nearest bunker and placed the charge on top of the emplacement, destroying the position and killing eight North Vietnamese soldiers. In large measure due to his heroic and timely actions, he was instrumental in enabling his unit to overrun the enemy positions and accounting for twelve North Vietnamese soldiers killed. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Corporal Durham inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.