The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major [then Captain] Carl A. Shaver (MCSN: 0-82539), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company L, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 19 May 1968, during Operation MAMELUKE THRUST, the First Battalion, Seventh Marines, reinforced by addition of Company L from the Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, began moving from Hill 52 toward Thong Duc Army Special Forces Civilian Irregular Defense Group Camp in the Son Vu Gia Valley of Quang Nam Province with Company C leading the advance. As Company C reached a narrow passage bordered by the Vi Gia River on the south and extremely steep hills towering approximately 100 meters above the valley floor on the north, it came under intense fire from soldiers of the Thirty-First North Vietnamese Army Regiment who were well-entrenched on the ridgelines to the north and was pinned down on the valley floor. Company D then attacked the enemy flank in an attempt to divide the enemy’s fire so that Company C could regroup but was also pinned down by intense enemy fire when the company entered a rice paddy. When Company L received the order to attack the enemy positions, Major Shaver quickly analyzed the situation and determined that the only avenue of approach available was through the steep hills to the north. After conducting a dangerous personal reconnaissance of the terrain north of the enemy position, Major Shaver led his company over the rough and hazardous terrain to an attack position which dominated the enemy-held ridgelines and then launched a vicious attack. Carefully coordinating Marine supporting arms with his attack, Major Shaver managed to completely surprise the enemy force as he struck from their rear. Personally leading the attack, he maintained constant fire on the enemy position and repeatedly exposed himself to intense enemy fire as he rushed from one platoon to another shouting instructions to his leaders, encouraging his men, and adjusting fire from his organic supporting arms, 81-mm. mortars, Marine artillery, and Marine fixed wing and helicopter support. Maintaining the momentum of the attack, Major Shaver led his Marines through the enemy defenses and overran the position, killing thirty North Vietnamese soldiers and driving the remainder of the force into a disorganized retreat into the underbrush, without the loss of one Marine life. Although still subjected to hostile sniper fire, he then boldly exposed himself to supervise the evacuation of the Company C casualties and the consolidation of the objective. His timely and heroic actions crushed the enemy resistance in the Song Vu Gia Valley, thereby providing relief to the Thuong Duc Army Special Forces Camp. By his courage, superb leadership and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Major Shaver inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.