The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Ralph M. Zwicker, III (MCSN: 2027341), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company L, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 30 June 1966, Sergeant Zwicker was directed to deploy his three-man fire team to evacuate a casualty from a Marine squad which was heavily engaged with a large Viet Cong force. After proceeding a mile from the Company base camp, the Marines encountered an enemy patrol and, in a brief but fierce fire fight, defeated the enemy. Very shortly thereafter, the team came under a heavy volume of fire from a well-concealed and numerically superior hostile force and sustained one serious casualty. Unable to move forward because of the team’s limited firepower and the burden of the wounded man, Sergeant Zwicker, having no radio available, directed his two remaining companions to return to the Company position and get a reaction force while he remained with the wounded man. Although fully aware that enemy soldiers were constantly maneuvering in the vicinity, he valiantly carried his wounded comrade to a covered location and gave him first aid and, for the next several hours, stayed with him and comforted him until the man succumbed to his wounds. When darkness fell, Sergeant Zwicker, utilizing his broad knowledge of escape and evasion techniques, commenced crawling toward the base camp, noting as he went that the Viet Cong were preparing an ambush for the Marine reaction force which they surmised would be arriving to search for him and his wounded companion. Upon meeting the expected reinforced Marine squad, Sergeant Zwicker, although wearied from his long vigil under great strain and suffering pain from a previously strained leg wound, carefully guided the unit to a position from which they were able to launch a surprise attack against the Viet Cong ambush and defeat the enemy. By his courage, resolute determination, and unfaltering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Sergeant Zwicker inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.