The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Floyd Wayne Zende (MCSN: 2280907), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company M, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 18 September 1967, Lance Corporal Zende’s squad was conducting a routine patrol when a Vietnamese man and woman were observed fleeing from the Marines and running toward the hamlet of Tu Cau (3). Suspecting possible enemy activity, the Marines pursued the civilians and, as Lance Corporal Zende and two companions followed the woman into a house, they discovered her attempting to conceal the entrance to a tunnel. Unhesitatingly entering the tunnel, he found his passage blocked by a trap door. After he emerged from the tunnel, a hand grenade was thrown into the room from the cave entrance. Disregarding his own personal safety and shouting a warning to his two companions, he seized the grenade and threw it back into the tunnel where it exploded. Realizing that there might be another entrance to the cave, he ran to the rear of the house where he observed a Viet Cong emerging from the tunnel exit with a grenade in his hand. Reacting instantly, he killed the enemy soldier and effectively prevented the rear entrance from being utilized as a possible means of escape. A thorough search of the cave resulted in the capture of four Viet Cong soldiers and the seizure of two automatic weapons, several hundred rounds of ammunition, six grenades and numerous documents. As a result of his heroic and timely actions in the face of extreme personal danger, he undoubtedly saved the lives of his two companions and contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Zende upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.