The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Joseph Walter Gibbs, III (MCSN: 0-80147), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company L, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam on 17 August 1967. During Operation COCHISE in the vicinity of Tam Ky, Captain Gibbs deployed one of his platoons on a combat patrol, flushing a heavily armed Viet Cong unit of fifty men into an area where it was detected by an aerial observer. Reacting instantly, Captain Gibbs ordered the platoon to hold its position as a temporary blocking force until he was able to deploy two additional platoons in an attacking position. Exhibiting outstanding professional skill, he formulated his attack plan and began to move his men forward as an air strike was progressing against the enemy. Although hampered by unfamiliar terrain and extremely dense jungle, he displayed unusual ability in navigating and controlling his units as he led them 1,000 meters to the attack position in less than twenty minutes. Deploying his men on line, he waited until the exact moment of cessation of the air strike and then gave the order to attack. Captain Gibbs courageously advanced to the foreground of the three-platoon assault and personally directed the fires and movement of his Marines as they came under intense enemy automatic weapons fire. As a result of the rapidity and intensity of the attack, they were able to close to within feet of the enemy position, engaging at times in hand to hand combat. Exposing himself to the hostile fire, Captain Gibbs shouted fire orders and encouraged his men as they overran the enemy. Inspired by his heroic actions and selfless dedication, Captain Gibb’s unit killed forty-one Viet Cong, captured fifteen automatic weapons, numerous munitions and valuable intelligence documents. By his bold initiative, exceptional professionalism and unwavering devotion to duty, Captain Gibbs upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.