The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Jordan A. Spahn (MCSN: 1415686), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Platoon Sergeant of the First Platoon, Company I, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 30 January 1967, during Operation DESOTO, Staff Sergeant Spahn’s company was conducting a search and clear operation near Hai Mon (1) in Quang Ngai Province. As the lead elements of his platoon maneuvered against a fortified Viet Cong hamlet, heavy enemy automatic weapons fire pinned down the Marines in an exposed rice paddy. The initial burst of fire killed two Marines, including the platoon commander, and wounded three others. Unhesitatingly, Staff Sergeant Spahn moved forward from his position of relative safety, disregarding the intense enemy fire, to take command of the platoon, and reorganize and direct his men into more effective fighting positions. Observing that the forward elements were still separated from the main body by an exposed portion of rice paddy, he quickly dispatched reinforcements to the beleaguered Marines. Constantly exposing himself to enemy fire during the nine hour engagement, he skillfully directed the evacuation of his unit’s casualties, directed fire on the enemy and re-distributed weapons, many of which had been rendered inoperative by the mud of the paddies. Regrouping his forces after the encounter, he discovered that a Marine from his platoon was missing. Volunteering to accompany a patrol to return to the site of the earlier battle, he assisted in recovering the missing man’s body. With all his men now accounted for, he tirelessly organized night defensive positions and encouraged his exhausted men. His exceptional presence of mind and steadfast determination were instrumental in maintaining his platoon as an effective fighting force, contributing significantly to the successful accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his extraordinary courage, inspiring leadership and selfless devotion to duty, Staff Sergeant Spahn upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.