The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain [then First Lieutenant] Larry W. Fenton (MCSN: 0-102803), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action from 7 to 11 June 1969, serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-TWO (HMM-262), Provisional Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Nine, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in the Republic of Vietnam. As a copilot on an extraction mission, Captain Fenton’s helicopter came under heavy enemy fire as it hovered in the extraction position. Suffering critical damage, the pilot was forced to execute an emergency landing on a slope below the Marines’ position. Joining the Marines at the top of the hill, Captain Fenton armed himself with a captured enemy weapon and assumed a fighting position on the defensive perimeter. Later that night during a fire fight, he was wounded but steadfastly refused medical attention until the other casualties were treated. On the following morning, the Marines prepared to undertake an arduous ten-mile hike across extremely rugged terrain to an alternate landing zone. Informed that he would be carried on a stretcher, Captain Fenton, realizing this would take up the time and attention of other Marines vitally needed to provide security for the movement, resolutely decided to walk with the rest of the group. For the following three days, Captain Fenton, utilizing the captured weapon as a crutch and suffering excruciating pain from his shattered knee, hiked up and down steep slopes and through heavy undergrowth until the Marines attained their objectives. By his bold courage, valiant determination, and unwavering devotion to duty, Captain Fenton reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.