The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain David Hancock (MCSN: 0-83348), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer, Company A, First Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 7 March 1968, Captain Hancock’s unit was assigned the mission to attack an enemy force suspected to be occupying the village of Phu Tai in Quang Tri Province. As the Marines advanced to within seventy-five meters from the village, they came under intense automatic weapons fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force entrenched along a 300 meter front. Unable to maneuver his unit due to the heavy fire, he requested artillery fire and close air support to dislodge the well entrenched enemy and suppress their fire. After several hours of supporting fire, he realized darkness was rapidly approaching and ordered his men to assault the village. With complete disregard for his own safety, he maneuvered forward to his pinned-down lead elements and standing in full view of the enemy, rallied his men for the assault. Armed only with a .45 caliber pistol, he fearlessly led his men across the fire-swept terrain and into the village. While maneuvering through the area, he was wounded by an exploding grenade and knocked into an enemy-occupied trench. When a North Vietnamese soldier attacked him with a knife, Captain Hancock killed him at a range of less then three feet. Disregarding his painful injury, he continued to direct his unit and seized the village. Then, establishing a defensive perimeter, he moved among his men throughout the night, encouraging the wounded while refusing aid for himself. Due to his inspiring leadership and aggressive action, the Marines accounted for twenty-seven enemy confirmed killed and seized numerous individual and crew-served weapons. By his courage, unfaltering determination and steadfast devotion to duty, Captain Hancock upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.