The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Marshall J. Serna, Jr. (MCSN: 2387619), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Machine Gunner with Company E, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 2 May 1968, Company E came under a heavy volume of sniper and automatic weapons fire during an attack on a large North Vietnamese Army force near the village of Dai Do in Quang Tri Province and sustained numerous casualties. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Private First Class Serna boldly stood up and directed intense machine gun fire on the enemy emplacements until his weapon became inoperable. Alertly observing three wounded Marines pinned down in an exposed position by the intense fire, he fearlessly maneuvered across the hazardous terrain throwing hand grenades and seized another machine gun. Despite sustaining a serious wound, he resolutely commenced directing accurate fire against the hostile positions, suppressing the enemy fire and enabling the three casualties to be moved to positions of relative safety. His heroic actions and aggressive fighting spirit were an inspiration to all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Private First Class Serna upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.