The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Brian R. Sullivan (MCSN: 0-103017), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Headquarters Battery, Eleventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. In the early morning hours of 23 February 1969, an air support radar team’s position near the Division command post in Quang Nam Province was attacked by force of approximately forty North Vietnamese Army sappers utilizing machine guns, rocket propelled grenades, and automatic weapons. Arriving in the designated area as Platoon Commander of a Reaction Platoon, First Lieutenant Sullivan quickly deployed his men and supervised the establishment of a base of fire to support a Marine assault on the hill top which was now held by the enemy. Completely disregarding his own safety, he fearlessly led his men up the slope of the hill on two occasions, only to be forced to withdraw due to the intense hostile fire. Undaunted by the rounds impacting around him, First Lieutenant Sullivan then rallied his men for a third attempt and again led an aggressive assault on the North Vietnamese, forcing the hostile soldiers to abandon their positions and retreat in the face of the determined Marine attack. By his courage, bold leadership and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk, First Lieutenant Sullivan inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.