The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Ronald E. Hoover (MCSN: 0-96988), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as the Commanding Officer of Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade in connection with operations against the enemy in the republic of Vietnam. On 20 November 1968, during Operation Meade River, First Lieutenant Hoover skillfully deployed his men as part of a cordon maneuver to surround a large hostile force in Quang Nam Province. During the ensuing several days of heavy engagement with the enemy, he repeatedly exposed himself to hostile fire as he fearlessly moved across the dangerous terrain to encourage his men and ensure that every possible avenue of enemy escape was effectively covered with firepower. On 27 November, five of his men were wounded by the detonation of a hostile explosive device during a company-sized search and destroy operation south of the cordon. After directing the treatment and medical evacuation of the casualties, he boldly led an aggressive assault which routed an enemy force concealed in a tree line. On the night of 30 November, he was directed to secure a downed helicopter and, by the swift deployment of his men, thwarted hostile attempts to capture the valuable aircraft and its armament. On 4 December and again on 8 December, elements of his company were pinned down and sustained numerous casualties when they came under an extremely heavy volume of small arms and automatic weapons fire as they assaulted well-camouflaged North Vietnamese Army fortifications. On both occasions, he completely disregarded his own safety as he moved to dangerously exposed vantage points to direct suppressive fire and tactical air strikes which inflicted heavy losses on the enemy and enabled other Marines to evacuate the casualties. Resolutely braving the intense hostile fire, he boldly moved across open terrain on several occasions to carry his wounded comrades to places of relative security. By his courage, decisive leadership and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, First Lieutenant Hoover inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.