The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Robert Andrew Potocki (MCSN: 2288399), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with Company A, First Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 2 February 1968, Corporal Potocki’s unit was an element of a platoon size reaction force which came under intense small arms and machine gun fire from a well-concealed and entrenched enemy force near Cam Lo. Reacting instantly, Corporal Potocki quickly maneuvered his squad into position and launched an assault on the hostile emplacements. During the assault, he captured a North Vietnamese soldier with his weapon and seized an 82-mm. mortar. As his platoon commander moved forward to examine the prisoner, he was wounded by enemy sniper fire. Unhesitatingly exposing himself to the hostile fire, Corporal Potocki rushed to the side of the wounded officer and rendered medical aid. After a Corpsman arrived to continue the medical treatment, Corporal Potocki rejoined his squad and continued his advance on the enemy. Skillfully executing a series of fire team rushes, he maneuvered his squad to a position close to the hostile emplacements and then led a frontal attack on the enemy force which overran the bunkers and destroyed a North Vietnamese sniper position. He then moved the casualties to a helicopter landing zone where he supervised their evacuation. While leading his men back to the hostile area, he captured four additional enemy soldiers and seized three 82-mm. mortars and large amounts of equipment. By his leadership, aggressive fighting spirit and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Corporal Potocki contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.