The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Judson D. Hilton (MCSN: 0-95616), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Forward Air Controller with Company G, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 1 May 1968, Company G launched an attack against a North Vietnamese Army force entrenched in Dai Do Village in Quang Tri Province. Personally joining the assault, First Lieutenant Hilton continually rallied the men around him as they advanced into the village through heavy enemy fire. On one occasion, he paused to render aid to a fellow comrade and then immediately rejoined the assault elements. When the intensity of the North Vietnamese resistance necessitated a temporary withdrawal, he organized a small security force and provided covering fire as the company moved to more advantageous positions. The following day, an assault was launched to seize the village, Again moving with the assault elements, he shouted words of encouragement to the advancing Marines and on one occasion, took charge of two squads, personally leading an assault across an open area to seize an enemy-held tree line. Obtaining an M-79 grenade launcher from a casualty, he delivered accurate fire on North Vietnamese positions while simultaneously directing and controlling air strikes. With only one portion of the village captured, a third assault was launched but encountered such heavy resistance and intense fire that a temporary withdrawal was required. Continuing to direct heavy air strikes against the North Vietnamese, he remained behind with two squads to cover the withdrawal, repeatedly exposing himself to the hostile fire to more effectively direct his men. Supervising the recovery of casualties while providing covering fire, he remained in his untenable position until faced with overwhelming odds and then led his men back to rejoin the battalion. By his steadfast courage, inspiring leadership and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, First Lieutenant Hilton contributed materially to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.