The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant [then Corporal] John Richard Sasser (MCSN: 2020482), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company E, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on the night of 24 – 25 March 1966. During the late hours of the night an enemy battalion attacked the company’s positions. Sergeant Sasser, serving as a squad leader in the platoon upon which the enemy concentrated their assaults, repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to direct his squad in the defense of the positions. Although eight of the eleven members of his squad were killed or wounded, he encouraged the remaining members, including the wounded, to grater efforts. He braved enemy fire to return to the company command post to request reinforcements and courageously led them in an assault to drive the enemy from his positions. Sergeant Sasser moved from position to position aiding the wounded and redistributing ammunition and grenades. Twenty-eight of the enemy dead and five weapons were found in front of his squad’s positions. By his daring actions and loyal devotion to duty in the face of personal risk, Sergeant Sasser upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.