The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Dennis James Morgan (MCSN: 2292395), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifleman with Company M, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 16 September 1968, while conducting a search and destroy operation in Quang Nam Province, Lance Corporal Morgan’s platoon was maneuvering across an open area prior to searching a nearby treeline, when the unit came under intense automatic weapons fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force. Alertly observing a concealed enemy bunker approximately ten yards away, Lance Corporal Morgan unhesitatingly advanced through the heavy volume of fire to a position from which he could bring fire to bear on the hostile emplacement. Observing that small arms fire was ineffective against the fortified bunker, he obtained several hand grenades from another Marine and threw them at the enemy soldiers as he advanced toward their position, killing two North Vietnamese. Completely disregarding his own safety, he assaulted the position, captured a wounded North Vietnamese and carried him back to friendly lines. Returning across the fire-swept area, he retrieved an enemy machine gun and one individual weapon before continuing his attack against hostile positions. His heroic and unhesitating actions prevented possible death or serious injury to numerous Marines and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk, Lance Corporal Morgan inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.