The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Dennis C. Figueroa (MCSN: 2197951), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company B, First Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 22 March 1967, while on a patrol in the vicinity of Long Son Hamlet in Quang Tri Province, Lance Corporal Figueroa’s squad came under heavy automatic weapons fire from a numerically superior, well-entrenched enemy force. In the initial burst of enemy fire, the Marines suffered several casualties. Observing a wounded Marine lying in an exposed area, Lance Corporal Figueroa unhesitatingly moved to his side and administered urgently required first aid. After quickly locating the source of enemy fire, he fearlessly charged forward and attacked one of the enemy positions. As he reached the edge of the enemy emplacement, he was forced to withdraw under the vicious barrage of small arms fire and hand grenades. Undaunted, Lance Corporal Figueroa reloaded his rifle and again moved across the fire-swept terrain in another attack on the enemy position. With complete disregard for his own safety, he advanced to within point blank range of the Viet Cong and brought a heavy volume of fire to bear at the positions which killed its occupants. The daring and resolute actions of Lance Corporal Figueroa inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in maintaining the momentum of his unit’s attack while accounting for at least one enemy killed and the capture of two automatic weapons. By his extraordinary courage, bold fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Lance Corporal Figueroa upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.