The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Edward L. Fontaine (MCSN: 1810940), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company D, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 2 July 1968, during Operation SCOTLAND II, Staff Sergeant Fontaine’s platoon was returning to its defensive position on Hill 689 near the Khe Sanh Combat Base when the Marines came under fire from an estimated North Vietnamese Army platoon. In the initial moments of the fire fight, numerous casualties were sustained and Staff Sergeant Fontaine’s unit was pinned down by the heavy volume of small arms and automatic weapons fire. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, he directed his men to withdraw to the company perimeter under the protective cover of a smoke screen. Repeatedly exposing himself to hostile fire, Staff Sergeant Fontaine moved throughout the hazardous area, organizing casualty recovery teams, encouraging his men and assisting the wounded across the fire-swept terrain. As his platoon approached the company perimeter, he threw himself across the protective wire, enabling the injured men to cross over him. His heroic and timely actions undoubtedly saved the lives of many Marines and were an inspiration to all who observed him. By his courage, superb leadership and selfless devotion to duty, Staff Sergeant Fontaine upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.