The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Paul Sproules Keaveney (MCSN: 2476234), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Reconnaissance Man with the Third Force Reconnaissance Company, FIRST Marine Division in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 7 February 1970, Lance Corporal Keaveney was a member of a reconnaissance team which was conducting a patrol in the A Shau Valley in Thua Thien Province when the Marines came under intense fire from a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force, pinning down the team and wounding four Marines, including Lance Corporal Keaveney. Despite his painful wound, he moved to a vantage point along the trail from which he could more clearly observe the movements of the enemy and from which he could more accurately deliver fire with his grenade launcher. With complete disregard for his own safety, Lance Corporal Keaveney boldly stood in full view of the hostile force on three separate occasions, and fearlessly remained in his precarious position while the enemy concentrated their fire on him, and delivered his grenade launcher fire with such devastating effectiveness that the North Vietnamese were prevented from advancing down the trail toward the Marines’ position. Each time he stood, he was struck by hostile small arms fire, but, undeterred by his serious wounds, he would again resolutely stand to deliver fire. When the nature of his wounds finally rendered him unable to fire his weapon, Lance Corporal Keaveney obtained the radio from the operator, thereby freeing a fellow team member to more actively engage the enemy while he requested helicopter gunship support and medical evacuation helicopters. His aggressive fighting spirit and valiant actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in the defeat of a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force. By his dauntless courage, bold initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Lance Corporal Keaveney upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.