The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Jerry Michael Soderling (MCSN: 1835230), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company A, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 10 May 1967. During Operation UNION in the Nghi Thuong Valley, Staff Sergeant Soderling’s platoon participated in an assault on a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force well entrenched on a prominent hill. Exhibiting exceptional tactical skill and aggressive leadership in the face of intense enemy fire, he fearlessly moved among his men in order to effectively deploy his squads and direct their fire. Constantly exposing himself to the hostile fire, Staff Sergeant Soderling skillfully maneuvered his men into a position whereby they gained fire superiority and repulsed the enemy attack. Although still receiving enemy fire, he commenced the immediate evacuation of the wounded, personally making repeated trips to carry casualties to the evacuation point. During one of these trips, he was wounded by a mortar fragment but courageously refused medical aid until he was assured that all other casualties had been treated and evacuated. His heroic actions and composure throughout the five-hour battle inspired his men and contributed significantly to the defeat of the enemy. By his superior leadership, resolute determination and unwavering devotion to duty, Staff Sergeant Soderling upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.