The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Leonard C. Hayes (MCSN: 0-84167), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company D, First Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division, on 17 July 1965. During a two platoon combat patrol, First Lieutenant Hayes, the acting Company Commander, and his unit were taken under small arms and automatic weapons fire by a well entrenched and concealed Viet Cong force of company size near the village of La Chau in the Republic of Vietnam. Immediately pressing the attack, First Lieutenant Hayes deployed his forces and directed heavy fire against the well concealed enemy. When the leading platoon suffered several casualties from an enemy mine field explosion, he skillfully effected a helicopter evacuation of the dead and wounded and continued to lead the attack. Later when his unit again suffered several casualties from a second mine field explosion, and while under intense enemy fire which included .50 caliber machine guns and 60 mm mortars, First Lieutenant Hayes again successfully directed a helicopter evacuation of the casualties. While under fire, First Lieutenant Hayes, moving in the open from one position to another, reorganized his forces and skillfully maneuvered one platoon to seize a key terrain feature vital to his advance. Leading his unit, he continued the attack through the village complex, at times receiving enemy fire from four directions. When his advance was stopped by the superior enemy force, First Lieutenant Hayes calmly called for and directed counter mortar fire, an artillery concentration and an air strike which, with the fire from his unit, effectively silenced the enemy opposition and permitted the patrol to continue. By his daring actions and loyal devotion to duty in the face of personal risk, First Lieutenant Hayes upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.