The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Ernest L. Shreve (MCSN: 2128964), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Shore Party Man with Company B, Fifth Shore Party Battalion, FIRST Marine Division, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 30 June 1968, Corporal Shreve was in charge of a six-man team returning to base from a mine clearing operation in Quang Nam Province when the vehicle in which they were riding suddenly came under enemy mortar and automatic weapons fire, wounding five of the men and disabling the vehicle. Although painfully wounded in the throat and unable to speak, Corporal Shreve steadfastly refused medical assistance and indicated that the other men were to be aided first. While waiting for the men to be treated, he moved to a carefully selected position and, when the enemy advanced toward his team, he aggressively delivered accurate fire and killed one of the soldiers, successfully repelling the attack. Although gravely weakened by his injury, he unhesitatingly remained in a rear position to provide security as he skillfully directed his team’s orderly withdrawal to a more secure area. Only when the hostile contact had been broken and his men were in a covered area, would he permit himself to be medically treated. His heroic actions and calm presence of mind under fire inspired all who observed him and undoubtedly saved the lives of several Marines. By his outstanding courage, superb leadership and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Corporal Shreve upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.