The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Cresenciano Griego, Jr. (MCSN: 2184799), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Radio Operator with Company F, Second Battalion, Third Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. During the early morning hours of 28 May 1968, while occupying a defensive position southeast of Khe Sanh, Company F came under an aggressive ground attack from a North Vietnamese Battalion. During the ensuing fire fight, the enemy soldiers launched a fierce attack on Private First Class Griego’s position in an attempt to penetrate the perimeter and overrun an 60-mm. mortar emplacement. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, he fearlessly remained in his hazardous position and delivered a heavy volume of accurate fire upon the attacking enemy. On several occasions, he unhesitatingly leaped from his position and repelled the hostile soldiers with his bayonet. When an enemy hand grenade landed in his position, he seized the grenade and threw it back at the hostile soldiers. Although he sustained fragmentation wounds from another enemy grenade, he ignored his painful injuries and continued his resolute efforts until the North Vietnamese soldiers broke contact and fled. His heroic and timely actions accounted for approximately seventeen hostile soldiers confirmed killed and prevented the enemy from penetrating his company’s defensive perimeter. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Private First Class Griego contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.