The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Harold Wesley Meester (MCSN: 2168010), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company G, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 14 June 1966, while serving as a Rifleman, Private First Class Meester was in the First Platoon when it was subjected to intense small arms and automatic weapons fire. Almost immediately, the First Squad leader and first fire team leader were wounded and the squad was temporarily halted. After crawling as far as possible under natural cover, Private First Class Meester, under devastating Viet Cong fire, single-handedly charged across an open field and up a fifty foot hill in an assault on a fortified Viet Cong bunker containing six of the enemy. Throwing hand grenades and firing point blank into the bunker, he wounded one Viet Cong and routed the others, thereby enabling the platoon to reorganize and pursue them further. His actions resulted in the capture of much enemy equipment and prevented further casualties to his fellow Marines. By his daring actions and loyal devotion to duty in the face of great personal risk, Private First Class Meester upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.