The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Francisco C. Serrano (MCSN: 2375819), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with Company F, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 24 September 1968, Lance Corporal Serrano’s unit was assigned to assist another company conduct a search and destroy operation near Ngan Trung in Quang Nam Province. As the Marines maneuvered toward the location of the friendly unit, they alertly observed several Viet Cong departing a nearby village. Reacting instantly, Lance Corporal Serrano skillfully deployed his men into advantageous positions and directed the delivery of a heavy volume of fire upon the enemy. During the initial contact, Lance Corporal Serrano accounted for one hostile soldier killed and two others wounded. As the enemy returned fire, a Marine sustained a wound and fell in an area dangerously exposed to the hostile fire. Disregarding his own safety. Lance Corporal Serrano unhesitatingly rushed across the fire-swept terrain to the side of the wounded man and carried him to a covered position, where he skillfully rendered first aid to the man. Subsequently, when the grenadier had expended his ammunition, Lance Corporal Serrano again moved about the hazardous area in order to obtain additional rounds from the other squad members. On another occasion, he fearlessly exposed himself to the hostile fire while moving to the side of one of his men to provide covering fire as the Marine repaired his inoperable weapon. After the enemy had broken contact and fled, Lance Corporal Serrano directed a search of the area, and while advancing toward the village, a hostile mine was detonated and he was seriously wounded. By his personal danger, Lance Corporal Serrano contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.