The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Paul L. Graves (MCSN: 2448323), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Radio Operator with Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the night of 8 December 1968, while Lance Corporal Graves’ platoon was maneuvering across a large open rice paddy, the Marines were pinned down by a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire from a hostile force occupying well-fortified emplacements and were then subjected to intense sniper fire from enemy soldiers located in elevated positions. Although seriously wounded, Lance Corporal Graves boldly moved forward in an attempt to assist another casualty, but became a vulnerable target for sniper fire and, despite partial protection provided by a companion, he was struck by seven more rounds before the sniper’s attention was diverted elsewhere. Throughout the night, Lance Corporal Graves remained calm and alert and, although suffering excruciating pain when, under cove of darkness, hostile soldiers searched his pockets and removed his radio and possessions, he did not utter a sound. The following morning, utilizing the protective cover of fixed wing airstrikes, Lance Corporal Graves struggled painfully back to the friendly lines were he informed his commanding officer of the exact location of the concealed hostile bunkers, thus saving numerous other Marines from seriously injury or possible death. His heroic and determine efforts inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his courage, determined actions and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Lance Corporal Graves upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.