The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Willie Edward Miller (MCSN: 2343048), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Combined Action Platoon 1-3-3, THIRD Marine Amphibious Force in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. During the early morning hours of 2 August 1968, two Viet Cong companies launched a coordinated rocket, mortar and ground attack against the compounds of Combined Action Platoon 1-3-3 and Mobile Training Team 1-2, positions approximately 1,000 meters apart near the village of Phouc Hoa in Quang Ngai Province. When it was determined that the attack on the Combined Action Platoon’s position was a diversionary tactic, Lance Corporal Miller accompanied a reaction force which fought its way across open, fire-swept terrain to the position of Mobile Training Team 1-2. Arriving at the compound, it was observed that approximately forty Viet Cong had overrun the position, killing or wounding all the defenders. When the reaction force leader was killed while leading an assault on the hostile force, Lance Corporal Miller aggressively maneuvered through the hazardous area to outflank a key enemy position. Single-handedly assaulting the emplacement, he killed three Viet Cong with small arms fire and engaged two others in hand-to-hand combat, killing both of them. Due to his heroic actions the reaction force was able to enter the compound and rout the enemy, killing twenty-nine hostile soldiers. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Lance Corporal Miller was instrumental in the defeat of the enemy and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.