The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Ancer L. Haggerty (MCSN: 0-100493), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company B, First Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Early on the morning of 11 September 1968, Lieutenant Haggerty assumed command of a platoon which had been heavily engaged with a North Vietnamese Army battalion near Mutter’s Ridge in Quang Tri Province. Rapidly assessing the situation, he immediately commenced reorganizing the platoon, encouraging his men, and molding them into an effective fighting unit. Shortly before dawn, the Marines were attacked on two flanks by a large North Vietnamese Army force employing small arms and machine gun fire. Swiftly rallying his men, Lieutenant Haggerty fearlessly led the platoon in a bold counterattack, destroying hostile emplacements which had been established during the assault and forcing the enemy soldiers to withdraw. As the Marines maneuvered toward the company’s defensive perimeter, they sustained extensive fragmentation wounds in the legs, arms, and chest. Ignoring his extremely painful injuries, Lieutenant Haggerty unhesitatingly exposed himself to the heavy volume of enemy fire as he directed his men to covered positions within the company lines. Steadfastly refusing medical attention, he resolutely continued his determined efforts until his unit was safely established in defensive positions. His bold initiative and resolute determination inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his unit accounting for forty-nine hostile soldiers confirmed killed. By his courage, extraordinary leadership, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Lieutenant Haggerty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.