The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Ralph W. Vasel (MCSN: 2515417), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Combined Action Platoon 1-2-4, III Marine Amphibious Force, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. During the early morning hours of 12 April 1970, Lance Corporal Vasel’s platoon was conducting a patrol in Quang Tin Province when the explosion of an enemy command detonated mine wounded seven men in the point element. This was followed by a vicious assault by a numerically superior Viet Cong unit employing grenades, machine guns, and automatic weapons. Reacting instantly, Lance Corporal Vasel skillfully maneuvered his platoon into a nearby trench, consolidated his position, and boldly directed actions to repel the determined enemy attacks. With complete disregard for his own safety, he repeatedly braved the hostile fire which was soon concentrated upon him as he fearlessly moved to each critical point of contact to encourage his men, shout instructions, and direct the delivery of fire. His patrol responded with such devastatingly effective fire during the ensuing fire fight that twenty separate Viet Cong assaults were repulsed, some of which reached to within three meters of his position. While the enemy unit was regrouping, Lance Corporal Vasel, undaunted by the extremely heavy volume of hostile fire, gallantly stood and held a strobe light to mark his platoon’s position while helicopter gunships attacked the enemy troops. After a medical evacuation helicopter arrived on station, he remained oblivious to the hostile sniper fire as he boldly picked up the most seriously wounded member of his patrol and carried him across the hazardous terrain to the waiting helicopter. This daring action inspired others to follow his example and carry the remainder of the casualties to the aircraft and place them aboard. The helicopter then departed for the nearest medical facility. When it was discovered that a Popular Forces soldier who was thought to be dead was alive, Lance Corporal Vasel immediately called in another extraction aircraft and, in full view of the enemy, bravely carried the wounded man across the precarious zone and placed him aboard the helicopter. His heroic actions and aggressive fighting spirit inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to thwarting the Viet Cong’s efforts to overrun his platoon. By his courage, superb leadership, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Lance Corporal Vasel inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.