The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Robert Wells (MCSN: 2414866), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with Company B, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 9 June 1969, Corporal Wells’ unit was participating in a combat operation near the village of An Bang when the Marines came under a heavy volume of small arms and automatic weapons fire from a North Vietnamese Army force occupying well-fortified emplacements. Reacting instantly, Corporal Wells skillfully maneuvered his men in a movement against the enemy’s bunkers and, disregarding the hostile rounds impacting about him, repeatedly disregarded his own safety to direct the fire and movements of his men until they were within hand grenade range of the objectives, two of which he personally destroyed. When a medical evacuation helicopter attempted to land and was forced down by fire from North Vietnamese soldiers occupying a nearby hamlet, Corporal Woods reorganized his men and led them in a determined attack against the hamlet. On two occasions, the Marines were within close range of the position, but were forced to withdraw and regroup by intense hostile fire. Resolutely leading a third attack against the enemy, he fearlessly approached and destroyed a major enemy machine gun position emplacement. His heroic and relentless efforts inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his courage, aggressive initiative and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Lance Corporal Wells inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.