The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Kevin Joseph Murphy (MCSN: 0-105995), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as a Forward Observer with Battery E, Second Battalion, Eleventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 15 May 1969. While two Marine Platoons were conducting a search and destroy operation across an open rice paddy west of the An Hoa Combat Base, a friendly unit became heavily engaged in a fire fight with North Vietnamese Army soldiers occupying well-camouflaged trench lines and spider holes. In the initial assault on the hostile emplacements, the Marines sustained numerous casualties and were forced to deploy to a previously prepared defensive position. Due to the nearness of the enemy soldiers to the wounded Marines, it was not feasible to utilize supporting artillery fire upon the North Vietnamese emplacements without risking further injury to the wounded. Recognizing the need for artillery to dislodge the enemy, First Lieutenant Murphy unhesitatingly left his relatively secure position and rushed across the fire-swept terrain to evacuate the injured men. Boldly exposing himself to the intense enemy fire, he treated and then carried two critical casualties to the friendly lines. When all the injured had been evacuated, First Lieutenant Murphy moved to a vantage point and, in full view of the enemy soldiers, skillfully adjusted supporting artillery fire against their positions and, on two occasions, prevented enemy attacks by boldly moving to the point of heaviest contact and fearlessly adjusting artillery to within 50 meters of the friendly lines. His heroic efforts and aggressive actions were instrumental in saving the lives of several Marines and in defeating the enemy force. His courage, determined initiative and unwavering devotion to duty contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.