The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal John Patrick Houghton (MCSN: 2121819), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a member of a Tactical Air Control Party with Sub-Unit One, First Air and Naval Gunfire Liaison Company attached to the Second Republic of Korea Brigade in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 10 January 1967, in the vicinity of Chu Lai, a patrol fro the Korean Marine Brigade came under intense small arms and grenade attack from the enemy. Unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own safety, Lance Corporal Houghton left the Command Post and ran forward through intense enemy fire to assist the patrol. After administering first aid to the many wounded, he quickly analyzed the situation and, securing a radio that had not been severely damaged by enemy fire, requested medical helicopters to evacuate the casualties. After four helicopters had successfully landed in the area and had extracted the wounded, the fifth aircraft received a heavy volume of enemy fire, wounding the crew chief and forcing the helicopter to crash-land. Exposing himself to the enemy fire, Lance Corporal Houghton moved across an open rice paddy to the downed aircraft, administered to the wounded man and called for another helicopter to complete the rescue of the crew and the remaining casualties. Refusing to be evacuated at this time, he remained throughout the night with a small contingent of Korean Marines left behind to guard the downed helicopter. His unit was relieved and subsequently evacuated the following day after having spent twenty-two hours under the continuous threat of enemy attack. Lance Corporal Houghton’s bold initiative and heroic actions under fire were an inspiration to all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his fearless determination, aggressive professionalism and unswerving devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Houghton upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.