The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Merrill Lagene Lantry (MCSN: 1993291), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader with the First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 2 September 1965. While participating in a platoon patrol against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) guerrilla forces near the village of Vinh An (1), Corporal Lantry stepped on an anti-personnel mine. Realizing the imminent danger involved and disregarding his own personal safety, he unhesitatingly turned his body in such a way as to maintain constant pressure on the mine to keep it from exploding and gave orders to the members of his fire time to take cover. Using his body as a shield to further protect the members of his team, he bent over in an attempt to disarm the mine, however the mine exploded, killing him instantly. Corporal Lantry’s courageous actions and inspiring leadership in the face of almost certain death undoubtedly saved the lives of several of his fellow Marines and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.