The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Robert Lee Walls (MCSN: 2340399), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifleman with Company C, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam on 21 December 1967. Private First Class Walls was a member of a patrol that participated in a search and destroy mission near the village of Khuong My. When two Viet Cong opened fire on the patrol with carbines from a tree line, the squad killed one by returning fire, and Private First Class Walls wounded the other, who ran into the thick brush for cover. Private First Class Walls and his fire team volunteered to search the area for the wounded enemy soldier. Knowing that the survivor was armed and would fight to his death, Private First Class Walls fearlessly led the advance into the tree line. Proceeding quickly through the brush, he discovered the wounded Viet Cong soldier in a trench line. In a last suicidal attempt to take Marine lives, the wounded enemy soldier hurled a grenade toward Private First Class Walls. Rather than take cover to save his own life, Private First Class Walls shouted a warning to his comrades, then shot the enemy soldier who was attempting to escape. As the grenade exploded, it killed Private First Class Walls. His shouted warning gave the rest of the fire team time to take cover. Private First Class Walls’ undaunted actions and loyal devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps, and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.