The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Juan N. Hinojosa, Jr. (MCSN: 2110369), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company B, Third Tank Battalion, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy near DaNang, Republic of Vietnam on 26 September 1965. While on an armored patrol in direct support of Company D, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, the tank on which Lance Corporal Hinojosa was riding took a direct hit from an insurgent communist (Viet Cong) guerrilla 57 millimeter anti-tank weapon which seriously wounded the driver and rendered him unconscious in addition to destroying tank inter-communications. Simultaneously, heavy small arms fire was brought to bear on the tank and the accompanying infantry, pinning them down. Realizing the driver’s condition and knowing the danger to the immobile tank and the infantry, Lance Corporal Hinojosa unhesitatingly climbed outside of the tank from his loader’s position, removed the driver and helped carry him to a safe position among the infantry. Still under heavy small arms fire, he courageously returned to the front of the tank and directed it with hand and arm signals, bringing it to a position where it could effectively fire on the enemy. His fearless aggressiveness and aplomb under fire was instrumental in helping the infantry gain the fire superiority which neutralized the hostile fire. By his daring actions and loyal devotion to duty and fellow man in the face of grave personal risk, Lance Corporal Hinojosa upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.