The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Dwight Adrian Vermaas (MCSN: 2496489), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company F, Second Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 7 August 1969, Lance Corporal Vermaas was participating in combat against a company-sized enemy force occupying a well-concealed bunker complex on a heavily wooded hill area. When he came upon two enemy soldiers sitting on top of a bunker, he opened fire and quickly disposed of the two men. He then maneuvered his fire team around the right of the hill and the patrol began assaulting up the hill until the Marines encountered an extremely heavy volume of rocket-propelled grenade, small arms, and automatic weapons fire and were pinned down. Disregarding his own safety, Lance Corporal Vermaas braved the intense hostile fire as he crawled to within ten feet of an enemy automatic weapons position and destroyed it with a hand grenade. Inspired by his gallant actions, his men mounted an aggressive assault to the crest of the hill. When two of his comrades were wounded by hostile fire, Lance Corporal Vermaas maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain and commenced moving them to covered positions, but was seriously wounded by enemy machine gun fire. Undaunted, he continued his selfless mission until the Marines were out of the enemy line of fire. By his courage, bold initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of a great personal danger, Lance Corporal Vermaas inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.