The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Dennis A. Hinkle (MCSN: 0-100327), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company G, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam on 11 June 1967. While providing night security along a main supply route in Quang Tri Province, Second Lieutenant Hinkle had deployed his platoon into position when a Viet Cong force estimated at 100 men approached his unit. Displaying exceptional presence of mind and professional skill, he directed his men to hold their fire until the enemy had advanced to within fifty meters of his position. Signaling his platoon to open fire, he completely surprised the Viet Cong force, killing twenty-five enemy soldiers during the initial burst of fire. During the ensuing fire fight, the badly disorganized Viet Cong retaliated with grenades and intense small arms fire in a frantic attempt to overrun the Marines’ position. Remaining calm, Second Lieutenant Hinkle shouted words of encouragement to his men and repeatedly exposed himself to hostile fire in order to direct his platoon’s efforts. When the Viet Cong prepared to launch another vicious assault, he maneuvered a reinforcing squad into position and simultaneously called in artillery fire on the enemy. Utilizing an AC-47 aircraft, which was orbiting overhead, he prevented the enemy from escaping from his cleverly conceived and skillfully executed ambush. Under his aggressive leadership, his platoon gallantly engaged the numerically superior enemy force for four hours, resulting in an additional thirty-four enemy probable killed. Demonstrating uncommon courage, Second Lieutenant Hinkle personally killed two Viet Cong at close range. By his daring and heroic actions, exceptional military skill, inspiring leadership and selfless devotion to duty, Second Lieutenant Hinkle upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.