The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Gordon W. Huckstep (MCSN: 2458910), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifleman with the First Force Reconnaissance Company, First Reconnaissance Battalion, FIRST Marine Division in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 18 September 1969, Lance Corporal Huckstep was Point Man for an eight-man reconnaissance patrol which was operating in enemy territory southwest of DaNang when he alertly observed thirteen hostile soldiers occupying an ambush site and, reacting instantly, opened fire on the surprised unit. After only one round, his rifle became inoperable and Lance Corporal Huckstep, boldly remaining dangerously exposed to the intense counter fire, quickly corrected the malfunction. Delivering a heavy volume of suppressive fire on the enemy emplacement, he killed one soldier, enabled his team to gain fire superiority, and was instrumental in routing the remaining men. While still under sporadic fire from the retreating North Vietnamese soldiers, he fearlessly assisted in covering the team’s deployment to an alternate location and, en route detected the sounds of another group of hostile soldiers approaching from a different direction. With complete disregard for his own safety, Lance Corporal Huckstep immediately ran toward the advancing men and initiated a lone assault against seven enemy soldiers, forcing them to withdraw hastily. Attempting to gain a vantage point, the Marines were maneuvering toward a small knoll when the observed five more hostile soldiers descending its slope and Lance Corporal Huckstep in a daring display of valor, again commenced an aggressive attack and themselves in defensive fighting positions and Lance Corporal Huckstep, repeatedly exposing himself to North Vietnamese fire, boldly moved about the fire-swept terrain to check the defensive perimeter and shout directions and encouragement to his companions. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Lance Corporal Huckstep inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.