The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Joel Douglas Ward (MCSN: 0-90381), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company E, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from 20 January to 3 March 1969. During Operation DEWEY CANYON, Company E, under the skillful and courageous leadership of Captain Ward, executed a continuing series of wide-ranging attacks across thousands of meters of mountainous jungle terrain, defeating all enemy forces with which they came in contact. On 28 January, enemy units of undetermined size attempted to defend large caches of arms and a training facility. Immediately deploying his company, and with the assistance of supporting air and artillery units, Captain Ward launched an assault which overwhelmed the North Vietnamese Army force, resulting in five enemy killed and the remainder routed. Again on 17 and 18 February, Company E met opposition from a large, well-camouflaged, and deeply-entrenched enemy force utilizing small arms, automatic weapons, rifle-propelled grenades, and mortars. Coordinating the attach which was credited with sixty-three North Vietnamese Army soldiers killed and the destruction of the enemy position, he repeatedly distinguished himself by his courage and composure under fire. On 22 February 1969, Captain Ward led his company through 2,500 meters of jungle to provide flank security for the battalion as it attacked east, capturing and destroying thousands of tons of North Vietnamese Army ordnance and supplies, including two 122-mm. guns, four 85-mm. guns, three 23-mm. anti-aircraft weapons, ten trucks, two tracked vehicles, three bulldozers, and twenty tons of rice and salt. By his leadership, superb professional confidence and unwavering devotion to duty, Captain Ward contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.