The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Kenneth W. Pipes (MCSN: 0-81285), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 30 March 1968, Company B launched an attack on a well-entrenched, numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force near Khe Sanh Combat Base and immediately came under intense automatic weapons, mortar and anti-tank rocket fire. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Captain Pipes fearlessly maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain deploying his men and adjusting supporting arms fire on the enemy. Although sustaining a serious wound, he ignored his painful injury and led his men in a determined assault, seizing the hostile emplacements. Steadfastly refusing medical aid, he repeatedly exposed himself to the intense fire as he supervised the destruction of numerous bunkers and ensured that all wounded were treated and evacuated. Upon being directed to break contact, he unhesitatingly remained with the rear element of his command and directed an orderly withdrawal from the hazardous area. His resolute determination and heroic actions inspired all who served with him and were instrumental in his company accounting for 115 North Vietnamese soldiers confirmed killed. By his courage, bold initiative and unfaltering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Captain Pipes upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.