The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Spencer Floyd Olsen (MCSN: 1951058), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Leader with Company E, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division on 16 March 1967, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. While returning with his platoon to the Company Command Post from a night Platoon Patrol Base near Khe Sanh, Staff Sergeant Olsen’s unit was ambushed by a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force. Quickly evaluating the situation, he rallied his men and launched an aggressive counter-attack on the enemy positions. With complete disregard for his own safety, Staff Sergeant Olsen repeatedly exposed himself to intense enemy small arms, automatic weapons fire and grenades to direct and encourage his men. Displaying exceptional professional skill and bold initiative, he directed fixed wing air strikes on the enemy and provided accurate information regarding enemy positions to supporting artillery units. Upon securing a landing zone, and while directing and assisting in carrying the dead and wounded from the ambush site to the landing area, Staff Sergeant Olsen was painfully wounded during a heavy enemy mortar barrage. Still under intense enemy fire and disregarding his own painful wounds, he continued to lead his platoon and personally administered medical aid to the casualties when both corpsmen were seriously wounded. With uncommon courage, he selflessly refused medical attention for himself until all others had been treated and evacuated. Throughout the enemy attack, he consistently made sound tactical decisions and provided inspiring leadership which was instrumental in preserving the integrity of his unit. By his daring and heroic actions, uncommon concern for the welfare of his men and aggressive fighting spirit, Staff Sergeant Olsen upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.