The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Marvin C. Wallace (MCSN: 2492237), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with Company C, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 12 August 1969, during a battalion sized operation, one element of Company C was advancing toward its objective when the Marines came under intense fire from a hostile unit that was well entrenched in a tree line. While maneuvering forward to support the lead element and re-supply the men with ammunition, Lance Corporal Wallace’s platoon also came under a heavy volume of enemy fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, Lance Corporal Wallace skillfully led his squad forward, unhesitatingly exposing himself to the hostile fire as he maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain toward the other unit. As the two platoons began a point assault on the tree line, his platoon was pinned down by fire from a fortified enemy bunker approximately twenty meters away from his position. Fearlessly exposing himself to hostile small arms and machine gun fire, Lance Corporal Wallace repeatedly attempted to destroy the enemy position. Stealthily moving around the side of the bunker to within three feet of the emplacement, he finally succeeded in destroying it with hand grenades. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in enabling the Marines to overrun the objective. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Lance Corporal Wallace upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.