Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Lance Corporal

    Division:

    III Marine Amphibious Force

    Action Date:

    November 8, 1967

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Raymond Konn (MCSN: 2309615), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifleman with Combined Action Platoon C-1, Second Combined Action Group, Third Marine Amphibious Force in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam on 8 November 1967. While manning the watch tower in his platoon’s compound in Dai Loc in Quang Nam Province, an enemy company, utilizing rockets, satchel charges and automatic weapons fire, launched an assault on the platoon’s position and rapidly seized three of five bunkers. Manning his .50 caliber machine gun, Lance Corporal Konn immediately delivered effective counter fire from his position in the tower, keeping the enemy at bay despite five near-direct hits by .57-mm recoilless rifle fire. Although he received fragmentation wounds to his hands during the ensuing engagement and enemy fire damaged his machine gun, he repeatedly cleared his jamming weapon and continued to fire, working the bold with his hands when the handle was sheared off. When the machine gun was damaged beyond immediate repair, he aggressively continued to deliver fire upon the enemy with his M-16 rifle and to throw hand grenades as they attempted to overrun the compound. Encouraged by Lance Corporal Konn’s steadfast determination during the one and a half hour battle, the remaining Marines and Popular Forces soldiers maneuvered to more advantageous positions and subsequently repelled the attack. His intrepid fighting spirit throughout was instrumental in forcing the enemy to flee leaving ten dead in the compound along with nine weapons, two satchel charges and numerous grenades. By his resolute courage, aggressive fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Lance Corporal Konn upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.