The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Samuel H. Lozano (MCSN: 2080080), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifleman with Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 17 June 1968, during Operation ALLEN BROOK, elements of Company B were conducting a patrol on Go Noi Island in Quang Nam Province when the Marines suddenly came under intense automatic weapons fire from a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force. During the ensuing fire fight, the unit sustained several casualties. Reacting instantly, Private Lozano immediately delivered a heavy volume of accurate fire upon the enemy emplacements, killing two North Vietnamese soldiers. Undaunted by the enemy rounds impacting near him, he then assisted and directed the wounded to positions of relative safety. Alertly observing an injured Marine lying in an area dangerously exposed to hostile fire, he boldly commenced maneuvering across the fire-swept terrain to aid the casualty. Despite sustaining a serious head wound, he was resolutely continuing to advance when an enemy grenade suddenly exploded near him and violently knocked him to the ground. Ignoring his painful injuries, he steadfastly moved forward until he reached the side of his wounded comrade. While shielding the injured Marine with his own body, he delivered extremely accurate fire into a hostile emplacement, forcing the North Vietnamese soldiers to flee in panic and confusion. Grasping the wounded man around the waist, he continued directing devastating fire upon the enemy while carrying the casualty out of the hazardous area. His heroic actions and sincere concern for the welfare of his fellow Marines inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Private Lozano upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.