The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Kevin P. Keilty (MCSN: 2422647), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with Company M, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the evening of 19 February 1969, during Operation DEWEY CANYON, Company M was occupying a night defensive position in Thua Tien Province. Suddenly, the Marines came under an intense hostile ground attack in Lance Corporal Keilty’s sector of the perimeter. Reacting instantly, Lance Corporal Keilty rushed to where the enemy had penetrated the perimeter and encountered a hostile sapper who was fanatically assaulting the Marines. By the time Lance Corporal Keilty had arrived on the scene, the enemy sapper had killed one Marine and one Corpsman, had wounded four Marines, and was wildly firing his automatic weapon and screaming. With complete disregard for his own safety, Lance Corporal Keilty fearlessly rushed the sapper and fired upon him at close range with his rifle, killing the hostile attacker. Ignoring the enemy rounds impacting nearby, he then moved up and down the lines, distributing ammunition, directing the fire of his men, and shouting words of encouragement. Despite having received painful fragmentation wounds from enemy grenades, he steadfastly continued his determined efforts and contributed significantly to his unit’s being able to repulse the hostile attackers. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Lance Corporal Keilty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.