The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Archie H. Lawson (MCSN: 2241083), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifleman with Company E, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 18 March 1968, Lance Corporal Lawson’s unit was attacking a numerically superior enemy force located in the village of Vinh Quon Thuong, Quang Tri Province. As the Marines maneuvered toward their objective, they began receiving intense small arms and automatic weapons fire, and several men were wounded, including a squad leader. Reacting instantly, Lance Corporal Lawson ran across the fire-swept terrain toward his comrade and was also wounded. Ignoring his painful injury, he assumed a firing position near the injured squad leader and commenced delivering a heavy volume of suppressive fire, enabling other Marines to move to aid his wounded companion. Informed that the squad leader had succumbed to his wounds, Lance Corporal Lawson steadfastly refused medical evacuation and unhesitatingly took charge of the squad. Disregarding his own safety, he fearlessly led his men in an assault and overran the enemy emplacements. While consolidating his position, he was again painfully wounded and medically evacuated. His bold initiative and superb leadership were instrumental in his unit accounting for 120 enemy soldiers confirmed killed, 4 captured and the seizure of numerous weapons and equipment. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Lance Corporal Lawson inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.