The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Rodney J. Martin (MCSN: 2410709), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Machine Gunner with Company D, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 26 October 1968, Company D was conducting a search and destroy operation in Quang Nam Province when the Marines came under intense small arms and automatic weapons fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force and four men were seriously wounded. Rapidly assessing the situation, Private First Class Martin unhesitatingly rushed approximately 200 meters across the fire-swept terrain to the side of an injured comrade and fearlessly carried the critically wounded man to a relatively safe area. Before dawn on 28 October, while Company D was occupying a defensive position, the Marines again came under intense fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force. In the initial moments of the fire fight, Private First Class Martin was in a machine gun position in which a hostile grenade detonated, wounding him and the other three members of his team. Ignoring his painful injuries, he resolutely carried one casualty and assisted the other two wounded Marines across the hazardous area to a covered position. Only after the other injured men were cared for and evacuated, did he accept treatment for his wounds. His heroic actions and sincere concern for the welfare of his comrades inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the lives of several Marines. By his courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Private First Class Martin upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.