Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Corporal Kenneth Michael Gaffney (MCSN: 2098483), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with Company H, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam on 31 January 1967. During a search and clear mission in the vicinity of Thuy Bo (1) in Quang Nam Province, Corporal Gaffney’s company came under heavy enemy automatic weapons fire while moving across an exposed rice paddy and graveyard area. In the initial moments of the fire fight, his platoon commander was mortally wounded. Without hesitation, Corporal Gaffney displayed exceptional presence of mind by assuming command of the platoon. Encouraging his men and reorganizing the squads, he simultaneously directed one squad to establish an emergency medical evacuation area while positioning the remainder of his platoon. After delivering a heavy volume of fire on the enemy positions, Corporal Gaffney, aggressively led his platoon across the fire-swept area in an assault on the enemy positions. Disregarding the intense enemy fire directed at his position, he continued the attack, directing accurate fire on the objective which routed the Viet Cong and forced them to flee in panic and confusion. After securing the objective, Corporal Gaffney continued to lead his platoon as the point element for Company H, Company Go and the 7,500 meters of enemy terrain to an area of relative safety, his platoon came in contact with an undetermined number of Viet Cong and succeeded in wounding and capturing one enemy soldier. In large measure due to Corporal Gaffney’s aggressive leadership and bold fighting spirit, his unit’s mission was successfully accomplished. By his exceptional professionalism, courageous determination and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme danger, Corporal Gaffney inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    1st Marines

    Division:

    1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF

    Action Date:

    January 29, 1967

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Kenneth Michael Gaffney (MCSN: 2098483), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with the Second Platoon of Company H, Second Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. Early in the afternoon on 29 January 1967, during a search and clear mission in the vicinity of Ha Nong Tay (2) in Quang Nam Province, the company’s third platoon was ambushed and temporarily pinned down in a rice paddy by heavy enemy fire from an undetermined number of Viet Cong. Deploying to assault the enemy positions, Corporal Gaffney skillfully and aggressively led his squad in the attack, directing the fire of his men while maneuvering through the rice paddies. Exposing himself to intense enemy fire, he advanced over eight hundred meters of extremely difficult terrain and overran the enemy positions. With complete disregard for his own safety, Corporal Gaffney quickly rallied his men and continued the attack, advancing an additional two hundred and fifty meters, destroying the enemy in their bunkers and causing the remainder to flee in panic and confusion. Observing one Viet Cong trying to escape from the rear exit of a bunker, Corporal Gaffney unhesitatingly engaged the enemy in hand to hand combat and killed him with his bayonet. His exceptional professional skill and heroic actions were instrumental in the destruction of five enemy bunkers and inspired all who observed him. By his extraordinary courage, bold leadership and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme danger, Corporal Gaffney contributed significantly to the successful accomplishment of his unit’s mission and thereby upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.