Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Michael Edward Moro (MCSN: 2171692), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Grenadier with Company A, First Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 8 may 1967, when a Marine company came under a heavy attack and was pinned down by a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force in the vicinity of Con Thien in Quang Tri Province, Private First Class Moro accompanied a reaction force assigned to re-supply and reinforce the embattled unit. En route to the area, he was riding in an amphibious tractor when it was severely damaged by an enemy round, which ignited a fire on the inside and filled it with suffocating smoke. Despite intense enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire and the danger of a secondary explosion, Private First Class Moro courageously remained in the vehicle and assisted in extracting his wounded companions. As he was moving the wounded men to a safe position, he observed a man lying wounded under a burning dual 40-mm. anti-aircraft gun. Disregarding his own safety, he fearlessly exposed himself to intense enemy automatic weapons fire as he ran toward the gun to rescue the casualty. As he was removing the man from underneath the gun, it exploded, wounding Private First Class Moro in both legs and his right arm. Refusing medical aid, he continued to maneuver up and down the shallow trench line throughout the night, rendering first aid to the seriously wounded and encouraging and comforting them. Early in the morning, he assisted in carrying the wounded to a landing zone for medical evacuation, accepting treatment for his own wounds only after all the other casualties had been evacuated and a replacement force had arrived. His exceptional initiative and extraordinary endurance inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the lives of numerous Marines. By his brave actions, steadfast determination and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme danger, Private First Class Moro upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received