The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant David Hugh Willoughby (MCSN: 0-90371), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company F, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 29 July 1967, while moving along the Ben Hai River in Quang Tri Province, the battalion came under intense attack from a large North Vietnamese Army force. As elements of Company F crossed an open rice paddy, which was serving as a helicopter landing zone, they were subjected to heavy enemy automatic weapons and mortar fire and rocket attack. Quickly directing his men to safety, Second Lieutenant Willoughby observed that one of his platoon members had been wounded and was lying in the rice paddy. Reacting instantly despite the great hazard involved, Second Lieutenant Willoughby advanced into the landing zone, running 100 yards through intense enemy fire to reach the wounded Marine. Maintaining a heavy volume of protective fire until the enemy was partially pinned down, he then assisted in carrying the casualty through an increasing volume of hostile fire to the safety of a covered position. Shortly thereafter, the enemy assaulted his platoon. At one crucial point, Second Lieutenant Willoughby obtained a machine gun from a wounded Marine and, moving into the open in order to obtain maximum results from the weapon, delivered an intensive concentration of fire upon the enemy, thereby enabling several trapped Marines to move into a safer defensive position. Constantly exposing himself to the hostile fire, Second Lieutenant Willoughby exhibited superb leadership and adroit use of tactics as he deployed his men and repelled the enemy attack. Several hours later when he learned that another company was unable to cross the landing zone to join the remainder of the battalion, Second Lieutenant Willoughby voluntarily returned to the area with some of his platoon members and began laying down a base of fire, effectively pinning down the enemy and allowing elements of the company to safely cross the landing zone. Firing on the enemy until they were out of ammunition, he and his men then returned under cover of darkness to a safer area. Throughout the night, he inspired and encouraged his men as he continued to provide fearless leadership and comfort to the wounded. Second Lieutenant Willoughby’s determination and heroic actions under heavy enemy fire were instrumental in saving one Marine life and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his inspiring leadership, resolute courage and selfless devotion to duty, Second Lieutenant Willoughby upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.