The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Gerald J Ayers (MCSN: 0-107747), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company B, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 9 June 1969, Company B was conducting a search and destroy operation northwest of the An Hoa Combat Base in Quang Nam Province when the Marines became heavily engaged with a large North Vietnamese Army force occupying a well-fortified bunker complex. Second Lieutenant Ayers’ platoon was assigned the mission of assaulting the enemy position. Disregarding his own safety, Second Lieutenant Ayers unhesitatingly moved to the front of his unit and aggressively launched a determined attack upon the North Vietnamese emplacements. Ignoring the enemy rounds impacting near him, he boldly shouted words of encouragement to his men, but as he accurately directed their fire, he was wounded. Despite his painful injury, he steadfastly refused medical attention and continued to aggressively lead the assault until the hostile positions were seized. His bold initiative and resolute determination inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his platoon’s accounting for fifteen enemy soldiers killed and nine weapons captured. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Second Lieutenant Ayers upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.