The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Joel Rousseau (MCSN: 2104807), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company I, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 6 September 1967, during Operation SWIFT, Sergeant Rousseau’s platoon came under heavy small arms, automatic weapons and mortar fire from a well entrenched, numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force. Although painfully wounded in the initial moments of the fire fight, he unhesitatingly ran fifty meters across fire-swept terrain to reach the point element of his unit which was temporarily pinned down. Quickly evaluating the situation, he skillfully deployed his men and then, fearlessly exposing himself to the intense hostile fire, positioned himself at a vantage point from which he could better control his unit and direct effective 60-mm. mortar fire on the enemy positions. As a result of his bold initiative and aggressiveness, the enemy fire was suppressed and the platoon was able to advance. Subsequently observing an enemy machine gun team moving into position on his right flank, Sergeant Rousseau, with complete disregard for his own safety, exposed himself to the enemy fire and opened fire, killing the North Vietnamese soldiers. His heroic and timely actions were an inspiration to all who observed him and contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his courage, superb leadership and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Sergeant Rousseau upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.