The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Gary Robert Gruerman (MCSN: 2268725), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Scout with Company B, Third Reconnaissance Battalion, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 17 December 1966, Private First Class Gruerman was a member of a nine man reconnaissance patrol operating deep in Viet Cong controlled territory in the Phu Bai area. Inserted by helicopter the previous day, the patrol had conducted two successful ambushes against the enemy units moving along a main trail. Continuing its mission, the patrol was in another ambush site along the same trail when two Viet Cong were observed on, a ridge three hundred meters to the north. Unhesitatingly, a Marine shot and killed one enemy while the other fled. Moving out of the ambush position to search for the enemy, Private First Class Gruerman and three companions had advanced halfway up the ridge when they came under intense enemy automatic weapons fire from an estimated fifteen Viet Cong. Simultaneously, the remainder of the patrol came under heavy attack from the same group of Viet Cong plus an additional force of the same size moving in on their flank. Reacting quickly to the hazardous situation, Private First Class Gruerman and his small team launched a bold assault on the enemy to their front. In a seemingly impossible advance, he and his companions maneuvered across 200 meters of fire-swept terrain, continually exposed to heavy enemy automatic weapons fire. Firing his weapon with extreme accuracy and shouting words of encouragement to his companions, Private First Class Gruerman continued forward until he overran the enemy position. As he reached the top of the hill and came face to face with a Viet Cong solider, his weapon jammed. Without hesitation, he dropped his weapon and advanced with only his knife which was shot out of his hand by the enemy. Undaunted, Private First class Gruerman was preparing to physically engage the enemy when one of his fellow Marines came to his assistance and killed the Viet Cong. Recovering his weapon, Private First Class Gruerman rejoined his companions and directed fire on the other enemy positions, forcing the numerically superior enemy to flee in panic and confusion. His heroic and courageous actions were instrumental in inflicting three confirmed dead and numerous probable casualties on the enemy and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his extraordinary courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Private First class Gruerman upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.