The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Ernest William Strehle (MCSN: 2022568), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as a Machine Gun Team Leader with Company F, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam. On 25 June 1966, near Chinh An Village, Thua Thien Province, Corporal Strehle was moving with the leading elements of his company when the point was hit by extremely heavy small arms and automatic weapons fire by a well-entrenched enemy. Several men were hit, and the raking fire across the exposed rice paddy made it imperative that the wounded be evacuated immediately to a covered position. Realizing the graveness of the situation, he leaped from his covered position and ran nearly fifty meters to where the most distant Marine lay wounded. Immediately picking up the man, Corporal Strehle, carrying him and all his equipment, raced for the paddy dike which offered some cover. Although he was mortally wounded just as he reached the dike, he did save the life of his comrade, and his heroic act inspired several other Marines to run forward to rescue casualties, soon clearing the area of all the wounded. His dauntless courage, initiative, and selfless effort in behalf of his fellow Marine were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the cause of freedom.