The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Robert Alan Scipio (MCSN: 2116526), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an Automatic Rifleman with Company M, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, on 28 January 1967, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. While on a search and clear mission in enemy controlled territory near Duc Pho in Quang Ngai Province during Operation DESOTO, Lance Corporal Scipio’s company was advancing toward a tree line when the lead platoon came under heavy enemy machine gun fire. As a result of the heavy volume of enemy fire, the numerically superior Viet Cong force temporarily pinned down the point squad and inflicted numerous Marine casualties. Observing several of his comrades lying wounded in positions exposed to the intense fire, he unhesitatingly left the relative safety of his position behind a stone house and along with a companion, advanced thirty meters through the enemy fire to rescue the wounded men. With complete disregard for his own safety, he completed four trips under heavy Viet Cong fire, each time returning with a wounded Marine. On one occasion, he carried a seriously wounded man to safety and skillfully administered life saving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation for several minutes until a Corpsman arrived to continue treating the man. Undaunted by the enemy fire around him, Lance Corporal Scipio returned to help other casualties to covered positions and prepared them for medical evacuation. Throughout the fire fight, his daring and heroic actions undoubtedly saved numerous lives and inspired all who observed him. By his bold initiative, exceptional courage and selfless devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Scipio upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.