The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class David John Keif (MCSN: 2378228), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifleman with Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 4 February 1968, while searching buildings in the city of Hue, Private First Class Keif’s platoon encountered a reinforced concrete bunker. After observing movement at the bunker’s door, the Marines fired light anti-tank assault weapons at the bunker with no apparent effect. Volunteering to drop a tear gas grenade into the bunker’s ventilator, Private First Class Keif unhesitatingly exposed himself to the danger of enemy fire from the door of the bunker as he moved forward and placed the grenade into the vent. Forced from the bunker by the fumes, one North Vietnamese soldier surrendered to the Marines. When verbal efforts to coax the remaining enemy from the bunker failed, the Marines fired rockets and M-79 grenades at the entrance, again without any apparent effect. Realizing that further efforts against the outside of the emplacement would be futile, Private First Class Keif volunteered to throw fragmentation grenades into its entrance. With complete disregard for his own safety, he fearlessly stood in full view of the door and calmly threw two fragmentation hand grenades inside the bunker. Subsequently leading two other Marines into the bunker, Private First Class Keif found sixteen dead North Vietnamese Army soldiers and twelve weapons. His heroic and timely actions were an inspiration to all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk, Private First Class Keif upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.