The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Jeffrey Allen Gaugush (MCSN: 0-91920), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Company Executive Officer with Company K, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam, on 5 September 1966. While moving with the Second Platoon, Second Lieutenant Gaugush’s actions were instrumental in saving the lives of at least twenty Marines and Army of the Republic of Vietnam soldiers who were participating in a joint search and clear operation. When the Platoon Leader was wounded, he assumed command and displayed great courage and leadership ability. Cut off from reinforcements and encircled by elements of a Viet Cong battalion, he immediately reorganized those Marines which were able to fight and set up hasty defensive positions in the nearby trenches. When he was assured that all casualties were protected from hostile fire, Second Lieutenant Gaugush fearlessly exposed himself to enemy automatic rifle fire and hand grenades to direct artillery fire upon the Viet Cong positions. He continued to distinguish himself by personally thwarting the attackers through skilled and accurate use of an M-79 grenade launcher and by calling in artillery fire to within fifty meters of his own position. When a relief force reached his position, Second Lieutenant Gaugush assisted in the evacuation of the wounded and the dead, refusing to leave until all Marines were located and counted. Returning to the comparative safety of the Company Command Post, he insisted on being the last Marine in the column in order to prevent a surprise attack which could delay the badly needed medical attention for the wounded. By his extreme courage, exemplary leadership and inspiring devotion to duty, Second Lieutenant Gaugush upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.