The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Donald Lemonye Hazen (MCSN: 2353111), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Machine Gun Squad Leader with Company C, First Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 19 January 1968, Lance Corporal Hazen’s unit was assigned to aid a friendly unit that was pinned down by a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force near the Cua Viet River in Quang Tri Province. As the Marines approached the beleaguered unit, they suddenly came under intense hostile fire which impeded their advance. Reacting instantly, Lance Corporal Hazen moved forward to provide suppressive fire with his M-60 machine gun. Alertly observing an enemy bunker, he fearlessly maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain, firing his weapon and killing the enemy soldier. Receiving intense fire from another position, Lance Corporal Hazen immediately crawled across the dangerously exposed terrain, and as an enemy soldier tried to seize his M-60 machine gun, he killed the man. Pinpointing another hostile emplacement, he boldly moved forward of his unit and threw a hand grenade into the bunker, killing two additional North Vietnamese soldiers. His heroic and timely actions were instrumental in the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and inspired all who observed him. By his courage, resolute determination and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Lance Corporal Hazen upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.