The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Hubert Monroe Lifred (MCSN: 2355625), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company L, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 15 September 1968, during Operation Scotland II, Company L was conducting a patrol in the Tien area of Quang Tri Province when a directional mine was detonated near the point element, and almost immediately, the Marines came under a heavy volume of enemy automatic weapons fire, sustaining numerous casualties. Unhesitatingly taking charge of his unit when the squad leader was mortally wounded, Lance Corporal Lifred directed the establishment of a base of fire for elements attempting to extract the wounded. Fearlessly rushing across twenty-five meters of fire-swept terrain, he reached a covered position approximately ten meters from a hostile bunker and commenced delivering suppressive fire against the enemy emplacement. When the friendly unit came under fire from several additional locations, Lance Corporal Lifred boldly remained in the hazardous area despite numerous hand grenades impacting nearby and intense automatic weapons fire, providing covering fire that enabled the Marines to evacuate their casualties to positions of relative safety. After coordinating his movements with supporting arms fires, he led a relief unit into the dangerous area and assisted in recovering two mortally wounded comrades. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk, Lance Corporal Lifred inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest tradition of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.