The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Eddie Lee Evans (MCSN: 2094918), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company L, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 1 June 1967, during Operation Cimarron, Corporal Evans’ platoon came under intense small arms and automatic weapons fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force and sustained numerous casualties. Completely disregarding his own safety, Corporal Evans unhesitatingly moved across the fire-swept terrain on two occasions and moved wounded Marines to positions of relative safety. Subsequently, he maneuvered to within hand grenade distance of an enemy machine gun position and hurled a grenade at the emplacement, thus enabling a corpsman, who was pinned down by the hostile fire, to assist a casualty to a covered position. Later, observing another well camouflaged machine gun position, Corporal Evans fearlessly revealed himself to the enemy in order to draw their fire and identify their position. As a result of his courageous action, the emplacement was pinpointed and destroyed. Although pinned down by the hostile fire, he repeatedly moved forward of his position, marked friendly positions, with smoke grenades for aerial observers and radioed information to the company commander. He then skillfully directed a relief force tot eh beleaguered platoon’s location. Throughout the remainder of the fire fight, he steadfastly continued to assist casualties to covered positions. Only after all the wounded had been safely evacuated, did he break contact with the enemy force and assist in the preparation of night defensive positions. His aggressive fighting spirit and resolute determination were an inspiration to all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his courage, exceptional professionalism and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Corporal Evans upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.