The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Robert Newton Pinkerton (MCSN: 2142370), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an Artillery Forward Observer with Company C, First 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 1 March 1967, during a daylight patrol in the vicinity of Phu Long (4) Hamlet, Quang Ngai Province, Republic of Vietnam, a hostile force pinned down the patrol with a heavy volume of deadly, accurate fire. When the patrol leader became a casualty, Corporal Pinkerton unhesitatingly took command of the patrol while under heavy enemy automatic weapons and small arms fire. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Corporal Pinkerton advanced through enemy fire to recover the body of the patrol leader. While controlling the tactical movement of the patrol against the Viet Cong, Corporal Pinkerton called for and adjusted accurate artillery fire from two different sources on enemy fortified positions. He utilized the various types of ordnance available, including white phosphorus and high explosives, to cover the patrol’s movements. In order to withdraw the remainder of the patrol and its casualties to a more secure area, Corporal Pinkerton had to continuously expose himself to enemy fire. Then he established a landing zone for medical evacuation helicopters. While the patrol was on the move, he continued to direct artillery fire on the enemy positions. Corporal Pinkerton also briefed by radio both the medical evacuation helicopters and the fixed-wing tactical air on station as to the enemy situation on the ground. During the initial air strikes he directed the fixed-wing on-station aircraft until the aerial observer arrived on the scene. Undaunted by dangerous accurate enemy automatic weapons and small arms fire, Corporal Pinkerton fearlessly exposed himself in an open area to personally direct, by arm and hand signals, the medical evacuation helicopters. The intensity and accuracy of enemy fire in that position was attested to by one helicopter being hit eight times in its approach. Corporal Pinkerton displayed extreme courage and calmness under hostile fire. By his exemplary leadership he prevented further casualties. Corporal Pinkerton’s initiative and courageous actions, his loyal devotion to duty in the face of personal risk, upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.