The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Darryl J. Petrunio (MCSN: 2337315), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company I, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 31 May 1968, Company I was conducting a search and destroy operation north of Dong Ha in Quang Tri Province, and when the Marines suddenly came under accurate sniper fire, Corporal Petrunio’s platoon was directed to assault the enemy positions. As his unit advanced toward the snipers, the Marines came under a heavy volume of mortar, small arms and automatic weapons fire from a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force and sustained several casualties, including Corporal Petrunio’s squad leader. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Corporal Petrunio immediately took charge of the squad and, skillfully maneuvering his men to an advantageous position, directed devastating suppressive fire on the hostile force which enabled his unit to withdraw. Alertly observing several enemy mortar positions, he and a fire team unhesitatingly commenced maneuvering toward the hostile emplacements. Ignoring the enemy rounds imp-acting near him, Corporal Petrunio fearlessly led his men in destroying one anti-tank rocket emplacement and two mortar positions, accounting for ten North Vietnamese soldiers confirmed killed. After having silenced the enemy weapons, he was maneuvering his team back to a defensive perimeter when the men came under intense hostile fire, mortally wounding his comrades. With complete disregard for his own safety, he immediately carried one of the Marines to his unit’s position and resolutely returned across the fire-swept terrain to evacuate the other casualties. Upon receiving the order to withdraw to enable airstrikes to be conducted on the enemy force, he repeatedly exposed himself to the accurate hostile fire to provide covering fire for his comrades. By his courage, superior leadership and steadfast devotion to duty in the face or extreme personal danger, Corporal Petrunio upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.