The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Willard J. Woodring, Jr. (MCSN: 0-59686), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from 2 July to 9 July 1967. While participating in Operation BUFFALO in Quang Tri Province, three companies of the First Battalion, Ninth Marines were heavily engaged by two regiments of the North Vietnamese Army and were sustaining heavy casualties. On the afternoon of 2 July, Major Woodring was assigned the mission of assisting the beleaguered units. Although two of his companies were widely separated as a result of independent search and destroy missions, he immediately planned and skillfully executed a helicopter borne assault into the battle area. Landing with Company K, the initial assault company, and despite continuous enemy artillery, mortar and automatic weapons fire, he demonstrated superior tactical skill in deploying his men to secure the landing zone and relieve Company A of the First Battalion. Within a short period of time, the enemy was forced back and the remaining elements of the First Battalion were able to join the Third Battalion. Disregarding his own safety, Major Woodring established his Command Post within 150 meters of the enemy positions and continuously exposed himself to the hostile fire to personally direct the deployment of his companies and the employment of supporting arms, until the final consolidation of the Marine position was accomplished during the night. For the next seven days, Major Woodring distinguished himself by ably coordinating and controlling six rifle companies, along with attached units, and extracted all Marine casualties and equipment from the battle area. He succeeded in repulsing several major enemy attacks and in driving the enemy from the assigned objective. Displaying exceptional professional competence and resourcefulness, he brought all available firepower to bear on the enemy as they attempted to cross the Demilitarized Zone, inflicting more than 350 confirmed enemy killed while sustaining only minimal casualties. By his steadfast courage, superior professional skill and selfless devotion to duty, Major Woodring was an inspiration to all who served with him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.