The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Joseph McCullough Piatt, Jr. (MCSN: 0-90956), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company L, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 18 June 1967, during Operation ARIZONA, Company L was moving into a blocking position in conjunction with a search and destroy operation by Second Battalion, Seventh Marines. As the Marines approached the village of Phu An (1), a company of well camouflaged Viet Cong were observed in fortified trench lines less than 100 meters away. Displaying exceptional leadership, Captain Piatt immediately deployed his men and engaged the enemy with a heavy volume of small arms fire which prevented the enemy from returning accurate fire. Exhibiting an exceptional knowledge of tactics, he skillfully maneuvered his leading platoon to within thirty meters of the enemy. After establishing fire superiority, Captain Piatt aggressively continued the attack on the determined enemy until the trench line was seized. Quickly employing a supporting flame tank against an enemy strong point on the right flank, he forced the Viet Cong to abandon their positions and flee. In order to prevent the enemy’s escape, he supervised the displacement of amphibian tractors to a hill mass approximately 300 meters to the south, to be utilized as machine gun platforms. Almost immediately, the vehicles came under intense enemy fire. Demonstrating exemplary presence of mind and outstanding leadership, he repositioned additional forces on the hill to provide protection for the vehicles and personally moved throughout the fire-swept area to ensure that adequate security was provided. Although he was wounded by grenade fragments during the ensuing two hour engagement, Captain Piatt disregarded his painful wounds and continued to direct, coordinate and encourage his men. As a result of his alert reactions and skillful maneuvering of his men, the enemy suffered heavy casualties. His calm courage and dynamic leadership inspired all who served with him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his bold initiative, professionalism and selfless devotion to duty, Captain Piatt upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.