The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Lawrence A. Fults, Jr. (MCSN: 2198691), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an Assistant Machine Gunner with Company E, Second Battalion, Twenty-Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), FMF, in the Republic of Vietnam, on 13 March 1968. Private First Class Fults was a member of an eleven-man combat patrol operating in Quang Nam Province, when they were suddenly taken under fire from a well concealed, numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force. In the initial burst of enemy fire, several casualties were sustained, including the machine gunner. With complete disregard for his own safety, Private First Class Fults picked up the machine gun and, firing the weapon from the hip, assaulted the enemy position. He moved forward in his one man assault until he depleted his ammunition supply. Disregarding the intense fire impacting around him, he loaded his M-16 rifle and continued his assault until he was mortally wounded. By his bold initiative, intrepid fighting spirit and loyal devotion to duty, Private First Class Fults was instrumental in breaking up the enemy ambush, thereby saving his comrades from further injury or possible death, reflecting great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.