The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lance Corporal Alexander John Ne Menzies (MCSN: 2133773), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an Automatic Rifleman with Company B, First Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in action against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 2 April 1966, during Operation ORANGE, Lance Corporal Menzies’ platoon was pinned down in an open field by an estimated company of Viet Cong. One of the M-60 machine guns was running low of ammunition and, with total disregard for his own safety, Lance Corporal Menzies crawled through twenty meters of withering enemy small arms and machine gun fire to obtain the needed ammunition. Returning through the same hail of deadly fire, he carried the ammunition back to the machine gun which allowed continued employment of this weapon. Again, when the same machine gun required a change of barrels, he left his position of safety and crawled through the enemy fire to obtain the barrel and returned with it. Observing that his Squad Leader had been hit by enemy fire in front of his squad’s position, he crawled into the exposed area and pulled him to safety. Returning to his machine gun position, Lance Corporal Menzies was fatally wounded by enemy fire. By his extraordinary courage in the face of extreme danger, intrepid fighting spirit and selfless dedication to duty throughout, Lance Corporal Menzies upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.