The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lance Corporal Larkin O. Vallerand (MCSN: 21113431), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as an Automatic Rifleman with Company F, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in the Republic of Vietnam on 25 June 1966. Participating in Operation Jay in the vicinity of Chinh An Village, Thua Thien Province, Corporal Vallerand and his squad encountered intense automatic weapons and small-arms fire from fortified position. They began to seek cover, which was very sparse, and were forced to advance by fire and maneuver to a covered position forward. With complete disregard of his own safety, Corporal Vallerand remained in the open and continued effective fire, giving his men the opportunity to move to safety. He then shouted to his squad leader, identifying automatic weapon emplacements and pointing out known enemy targets. Due to his courageous act the squad was successful in gaining the fire superiority needed for the successful evacuation of the wounded and necessary employment of the squad’s automatic weapons and machine guns to cause numerous enemy casualties. While moving forward to a more suitable position, Corporal Vallerand was mortally wounded. By his outstanding courage, indomitable fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty, he materially aided in repulsing the hostile attack and served to inspire all who observed him, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the cause of freedom.