The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Joseph Albert Schmidt, Jr. (MCSN: 2049230), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Headquarters and Service Company, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 4 September 1967 during Operation SWIFT in Quang Nam Province, Corporal Schmidt was in charge of the security platoon when the battalion command post group came under intense automatic weapons fire from a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force. Immediately deploying his platoon into defensive positions, he then led six men into a rice paddy to provide covering fire for rear elements of the group. In the ensuing fire fight, two of his men were killed and he and another Marine were wounded. Disregarding his painful wound, Corporal Schmidt encouraged his few remaining men and directed their fire against the enemy. With an exceptional display of courage and fortitude, he continued to fire his rifle accurately and rapidly, killing four enemy soldiers. When his weapon was hit by an enemy round and rendered inoperable, Corporal Schmidt remained with his men, encouraging them and directing their fire until he sustained another wound and was forced to withdraw. Directing his two companions to continue their fire, he bravely crawled through the exposed rice paddy to his platoon’s position and led reinforcements back to assist the beleaguered Marines. His fearless leadership and indomitable fighting spirit inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving numerous Marine lives. By his extraordinary courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty, in the face of extreme danger, Corporal Schmidt upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.