The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Gunnery Sergeant Donacano Francisco Martinez (MCSN: 1262320), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving Company Gunnery Sergeant of Company G, Second Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 16 May 1967, during a search and destroy mission near the Demilitarized Zone, Company G was ordered to relieve another unit which had come under intense enemy fire and sustained numerous casualties. Realizing the need for immediate evacuation of the wounded, Gunnery Sergeant Martinez quickly organized stretcher bearers from the company headquarters and attachments and, disregarding his own safety, supervised the orderly and expeditious movement of the wounded to a place of relative safety. Repeatedly exposing himself to the hostile fire, Gunnery Sergeant Martinez ably assisted in evacuating thirty-one casualties. On 17 May, when his company attacked a North Vietnamese Army regiment and sustained heavy casualties, he again fearlessly led his men through intense enemy automatic weapons, mortar and artillery fire and assisted in evacuating twenty wounded Marines. On 19 May, while Gunnery Sergeant Martinez was assisting in the removal of casualties from a fire-swept area, he sustained fragmentation wounds in the leg. Disregarding his painful injury, he refused medical evacuation and steadfastly remained with his company until the completion of the operation. His resolute determination and concern for the welfare of his men undoubtedly saved the lives of numerous Marines and were an inspiration to all who observed him. By his steadfast courage, tireless initiative and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Gunnery Sergeant Martinez upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.