The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Gerald Anthony McCall (MCSN: 1592696), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company H, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 13 July 1968, while occupying a section of the company night defensive perimeter in Thua Thien Province, Staff Sergeant McCall’s platoon suddenly came under intense enemy automatic weapons, antitank rocket and mortar fire. Completely disregarding his own safety, Staff Sergeant McCall fearlessly exposed himself to the hostile fire as he moved among his men to encourage them and direct their fire. Resolutely determined to locate the source of enemy mortar fire, he fearlessly crawled approximately 150 meters forward of his perimeter to a vantage point from which he accurately adjusted countermortar fire that destroyed the enemy emplacements. On the following day, his company had resumed its search and destroy mission with his platoon as the lead element when one of his men inadvertently detonated an enemy mine and was seriously wounded. Rapidly assessing the situation, Staff Sergeant McCall directed the evacuation of the casualty and then examined the remains of the explosive device. Realizing that his platoon had moved into an area saturated with mines and booby traps, he directed his men to remain in their positions while he searched the area. Carefully examining the ground to locate a path through which his men could move to safety, he had proceeded approximately fifty meters when he was mortally wounded by a hostile explosive device. By his courage, bold initiative and unfaltering devotion to duty, Staff Sergeant McCall inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.