The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Gunnery Sergeant Wayne Estill Jones (MCSN: 1442915), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Company Gunnery Sergeant of Company M, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 4 March 1969, while Company M was occupying a night defensive position during Operation TAYLOR COMMON, the Marines came under a heavy volume of mortar and small arms fire in addition to rocket-propelled grenades which, concentrated in the Third Platoon’s area, caused numerous critical casualties. Unhesitatingly leaving his position of relative safety at the company command post. Gunnery Sergeant Jones fearlessly rushed across the fire-swept terrain to the location of the besieged unit and, shouting words of encouragement, organized the uninjured Marines into evacuation teams. Repeatedly exposing himself to the intense enemy fire, he calmly supervised the treatment and removal of the casualties. On one occasion, he was ministering to the needs of a seriously wounded Marine when he was knocked to the ground by the detonation of an enemy mortar round which impacted nearby. Recovering quickly, he calmly completed his lifesaving treatment and steadfastly continued to direct the activities of his men. Disregarding his own safety, Gunnery Sergeant Jones, concerned only for the welfare of his companions, then patrolled the hazardous area until assured that all casualties had been evacuated to protected positions near the command post. His heroic and bold actions in a critical situation inspired all who observed him and saved the lives of numerous Marines. By his courage, dynamic leadership and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Gunnery Sergeant Jones upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.