The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Derold Eugene Roberts (MCSN: 1659087), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company B, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 15 December 1967, while Staff Sergeant Roberts’ company was deployed in ambush positions northwest of Con Thien, the forward platoon killed several North Vietnamese soldiers and was advancing to search for weapons and documents when it suddenly came under intense mortar, automatic weapons and small arms fire from a well entrenched, numerically superior enemy force. In the initial attack, the platoon sustained several casualties and was temporarily pinned down. As Staff Sergeant Roberts’ platoon, accompanied by a tank, moved into the hostile area to evacuate the casualties, it came under intense fire from enemy soldiers entrenched in a tree line only 100 meters to its front and sustained three casualties. Reacting instantly, Staff Sergeant Roberts quickly directed the fire of the tank and his platoon against the enemy positions and commenced the evacuation of the wounded. Although sustaining painful fragmentation wounds to the face and arms, he fearlessly exposed himself to hostile fire to locate the enemy and provide covering fire while the casualties were being placed aboard the tank. Firing his weapon with pinpoint accuracy and great determination, he personally killed five enemy soldiers and wounded nine others. After completing the evacuation of his platoon’s casualties, Staff Sergeant Roberts refused medical assistance for himself and returned to the forward area to assist in the recovery of additional casualties. Again, disregarding his own safety, he repeatedly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire to locate enemy positions and provide covering fire. When all the wounded had been moved to a place of relative safety, Staff Sergeant Roberts, despite his weakened condition due to the severity of his wounds and in extreme pain, reorganized his platoon and provided security for the wounded Marines as they were being evacuated to a landing zone. Throughout, his indomitable fighting spirit and deep concern for his fellow Marines inspired all who observed him and undoubtedly were instrumental in saving several Marine lives. By his extraordinary courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Staff Sergeant Roberts upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.