The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Larry Benjamin Nunez (MCSN: 2147189), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with Company M, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 4 September 1967, during Operation SWIFT, Company M was providing flank security for the Battalion Command Group when it became heavily engaged by a large North Vietnamese Army force. While advancing to reinforce another unit of the company, Corporal Nunez’s platoon came under intense enemy automatic weapons and mortar fire and he sustained a fragmentation wound. Disregarding his painful injury, he repeatedly exposed himself to the hostile fire and fearlessly moved about the fire-swept area to maneuver his squad and direct their fire on the enemy positions. When the enemy commenced a concentrated attack on the Marines and the volume of hostile fire increased, Corporal Nunez received a serious head wound, however he continued to lead his unit. Firing his rifle and shouting words of encouragement, he pointed out the enemy positions to his men and directed effective fire on the advancing North Vietnamese. Wounded a third time during the enemy assault, Corporal Nunez continued to disregard his painful injuries and, courageously moving forward to reorganize his squad, ordered them to fix bayonets and throw grenades which accounted for heavy losses on the enemy and forced the remainder of the hostile force to flee in panic and confusion. Refusing to leave his squad, he remained with his men throughout the night and, after assuring himself of their welfare, he finally submitted to medical evacuation. His aggressive fighting spirit and superb leadership were an inspiration to all who observed him and contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his steadfast courage, unfaltering determination and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Corporal Nunez upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.