The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Vaughn D. Garvey (MCSN: 2135957), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company F, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 30 January 1966, Private First Class Garvey was serving as a rifleman on a combat patrol when the unit was ambushed by more than one hundred Viet Cong employing machine guns, automatic weapons and accurate mortar fire. Private First Class Garvey and two other Marines on the point were immediately pinned down about ten yards from the enemy positions. In the midst of the fire-fight, an enemy grenade was thrown among the three Marines. Without hesitation or regard for his own safety, Private First Class Garvey grabbed the enemy grenade and hurled it back in the direction of the Viet Cong. When the grenade exploded approximately five yards from his position, he sustained multiple fragment wounds and the loss of a finger. Although suffering greatly, he continued to lay down covering fire so that his companions could assault the hostile positions. Private First Class Garvey’s immediate action undoubtedly saved his own life as well as his fellow Marines’. By his daring action and loyal devotion to duty in the face of grave personal risk, Private First Class Garvey upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.