The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Bennett H. Owens, Jr. (MCSN: 1499308), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as squad leader of Company M, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, in the vicinity of DaNang, Republic of Vietnam, on 21 March 1966. Having established his squad in a patrol base in an area south of DaNang and upon hearing a heavy volume of fire from a direction in which he knew no friendly units were operating, he immediately, without direction from his superiors, led his squad toward the area from which the firing was heard to investigate the situation. Upon arriving on the scene he observed approximately twelve Viet Cong firing on two M-76 Otters which were carrying seven Marines returning from a resupply mission and which the Viet Cong had ambushed and disabled. Realizing the urgency of the situation, Sergeant Owens immediately deployed his squad and led them in an assault on the Viet Cong position delivering an overwhelmingly superior and accurate volume of fire on the enemy which resulted in the killing of seven and capture of their weapons and equipment and the wounding of the remaining five. Because of his aggressive leadership the Viet Cong force was completely routed, the lives of six wounded Marines were saved, and valuable U.S. Government property spared from capture. This heroic action was accomplished without one casualty being inflicted on the members of his squad. By his daring actions and loyal devotion to duty, Sergeant Owens reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.