The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Henry J. Poole (MCSN: 0-94013), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company G, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 18 August 1968, Company G was attacking a large North Vietnamese Army force occupying defensive positions in the vicinity of La Thap (1) in Quang Nam Province. As Captain Poole and his lead squad crossed a wide stream close to their objective, the Marines suddenly came under a heavy volume of small arms and automatic weapons fire and were pinned down. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, he rapidly deployed his small force and requested close air support. Ignoring the hostile rounds impacting near him, he moved to an advantageous position from which he controlled air strikes against the enemy emplacements while skillfully coordinating the advance of his company across the water barrier. Disregarding his own safety, Captain Poole fearlessly led his men in a determined assault against the main North Vietnamese positions. During the subsequent fire-fight that continued well into the night, he ably directed his Marines in the systematic destruction of the hostile fortifications. His bold initiative and heroic actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his company accounting for thirty-five North Vietnamese soldiers killed while capturing fifteen weapons and seizing vast amounts of supplies and equipment. By his courage, aggressive leadership and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Captain Poole upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.