The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Carlos E. Gallegos (MCSN: 2058382), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company K, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. During the period 7 to 20 March 1966, Corporal Gallegos exhibited exceptional courage and concern for the welfare of others at great risk of his own life. On 7 March, while on a routine patrol near Man Quan, Corporal Gallegos noticed several Vietnamese children acting in a suspicious manner near a dwelling. As he led his men forward to investigate, two Viet Cong filed through a rear exit. While aggressively pursuing the enemy, Corporal Gallegos wounded one of the Viet Cong who was pulling the pin on a hand grenade. The man died from the blast of his own grenade. When the second Viet Cong, who had been traced by a bloody trail to a tunnel, refused to surrender, Corporal Gallegos killed him with a grenade. Two days later, Corporal Gallegos was operating with a three man reconnaissance patrol near An Luu Hamlet when hostile fire was received from a force of some ten Viet Cong concealed behind a bamboo hedgerow. In the initial exchange of fire and grenades, Corporal Gallegos killed one of the enemy. Finding that both of his companions had been wounded, one sustaining four hits by enemy fire, Corporal Gallegos radioed for support, made the critically wounded Marine as comfortable as possible and directed the return fire of the other. Before a relief unit could reach them, the Viet Cong attempted to overrun the position. With composure and determination in the face of overwhelming odds, Corporal Gallegos killed two of the enemy and wounded two more, forcing the others to break contact. When reinforcements arrived, he led them in a vain pursuit of the enemy force. On 20 March, during Operation Kings, his unit had been subjected to accurate small arms fire for some time, and was additionally endangered by movement over terrain that was heavily emplaced with booby traps and mines. Directed to provide security for a company outpost, Corporal Gallegos carefully placed his men in firing positions and moved alone to the designated site to check for mines. During his inspection of the area, he detonated an 81 mm mortar round and lost his right leg in the ensuing blast. Although he sustained a grievous wound, his daring initiative prevented losses among those with whom he served. By his extraordinary valor, bold determination and unwavering dedication to duty throughout, Corporal Gallegos upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.