The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Daniel M. Morris (MCSN: 2005641), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company G, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 7 February 1968, Corporal Morris was a member of a Provisional Platoon assigned to assist a Marine truck convoy which had been ambushed and sustained numerous casualties near Nam Hoa. As his unit approached the besieged convoy, a command detonated mine was exploded, damaging the lead vehicle. Almost simultaneously, the Marines came under intense enemy fire. Demonstrating outstanding leadership and bold initiative, Corporal Morris unhesitatingly jumped from his vehicle and fearlessly exposed himself to intense enemy fire to provide covering fire for his men. Skillfully deploying his unit to defensive positions, he effectively directed and controlled their return fire against the enemy emplacements. Completely disregarding his own safety, he courageously maneuvered across the open, fire-swept road and provided covering fire with his M-16 rifle for a grenadier who had established a defensive position behind a house and was delivering fire on suspected enemy positions. Ignoring the enemy fire around him, he remained in his position until his weapon malfunctioned. As he returned across the road to obtain another rifle, he observed that a squad of Marines was momentarily pinned down by a fierce enemy hand grenade attack. Fearlessly disregarding his own safety, he maneuvered to the enemy emplacement and destroyed the enemy bunker with hand grenades, killing three enemy soldiers. His fearless actions at great personal risk undoubtedly helped save the lives of the squad members and inspired all who observed him. By his extraordinary courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty, Corporal Morris was instrumental in the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.