The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Donald R. Huffman (MCSN: 0-75231), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Officer-in-Charge, Detachment One, Marine Air Support Squadron Three, Marine Air Control Group Eighteen, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam,. In the early morning hours of 23 February 1969, several enemy soldiers were detected inside the outermost perimeter wire of the air support radar team located on Hill 200 near DaNang. Realizing that this could be the prelude to a full scale attempt by the enemy to neutralize the unit’s radar navigational assistance capability, Major Huffman deployed additional men to the defensive positions and alertly organized an eight-man reaction force. Several hours later the entire perimeter came under intense rocket-propelled grenade and automatic weapons fire from a North Vietnamese Army sapper unit which had breached the inner defenses. Throughout the ensuing battle, Major Huffman continually exposed himself to the heavy volume of hostile fire as he fearlessly maneuvered about the fire-swept terrain directing the deployment of the reaction force, ensuring ammunition re-supply, supervising the evacuation of casualties, and, on one occasion, personally driving an ambulance into the hazardous area. After requesting helicopter gunship support, he directed a final assault on the enemy’s hilltop stronghold and was instrumental in expelling the hostile force from the unit’s position. By his courage, bold leadership and steadfast devotion to duty at great personal risk, Major Huffman earned the respect and admiration of all who served with him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.