The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Harold Gomez (MCSN: 2178660), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader with the Second Platoon, Company A, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, 3d Marine Division (Reinforced), FMF, in action against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 21 February 1967. During a search and destroy operation against Viet Cong Forces in Quang Dien Province, Corporal Gomez’s platoon came under heavy attack by a numerically superior force. Without hesitation he maneuvered his fire team into a position where direct and devastating fire could be placed upon the enemy, inflicting numerous casualties. A friendly machine gun to the right of his fire team operated by a single, wounded gunner was running low on ammunition. With complete disregard for his own personal safety Corporal Gomez ran through a hail of enemy fire to get the badly needed ammunition. He repeated this three times, enabling the machine gunner and the members of his platoon to maintain fire superiority over the enemy forces. When the hostile force was driven off, he immediately reorganized and placed his fire team into defensive positions. Realizing the area was heavily mined and a potential threat to the platoon, he commended a thorough search of the area. It was at this time that he fell mortally wounded by an exploding mine. Corporal Gomez’s bravery and loyal devotion to duty in the face of great personal risk were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.