The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Robert R. Withey (MCSN: 2026895), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the First Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 17 July 1965. Corporal Withey, a squad leader with Company D, was engaged in a two platoon search and clear operation in the vicinity of DaNang. Encountering a heavily mined area in the La Chau village complex, the lead elements of his unit suffered several casualties. Observing that his unit was halted, exposed to fire, and in danger of sustaining further casualties, Corporal Withey unhesitatingly moved forward. Volunteering to cross a rice paddy to the dike, he searched for planted mines and cleared an area so the rest of the men could cross rapidly and safely. Upon reaching the far side, Corporal Withey was brought under an intense volume of 60-mm. mortar, automatic weapons, and .50 caliber machine gun fire. Returning to his squad, he aggressively led the men forward to a point where the enemy fire was most heavily concentrated. Exposing himself repeatedly, he located targets and directed the fire of his grenadier and automatic rifleman. Borrowing an M-79 Grenade Launcher, Corporal Withey stood in an exposed position and destroyed two houses, silencing the fire from within. Immediately moving to a second location, he fired into another building, killing the sniper who was inside. By his daring actions and loyal devotion to duty in the face of personal risk, Corporal Withey upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.