The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lance Corporal Guy Robert Bruce, United States Marine Corps, for heroic achievement in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam while serving as a Rifleman with Company A, Third Reconnaissance Battalion, THIRD Marine Division, on 19 August 1967. Acting as Point Man for an eight-man reconnaissance patrol operating in an area known to be an enemy infiltration route, Lance Corporal Bruce, during a security halt, detected an estimated force of at least fifteen Viet Cong approaching his position. Reacting instantly, he pushed his companion to safety just as the enemy opened fire with automatic and semiautomatic weapons. Quickly returning accurate fire, he was responsible for the patrol’s gaining immediate fire superiority over the enemy. Dauntlessly exposing himself to hostile fire, he threw hand grenades on the enemy position and killed a fourth enemy soldier. As the fire fight subsided, Lance Corporal Bruce, noticing three Marine casualties, again courageously exposed himself to the enemy fire to assist the Corpsman. After treating two of the wounded, one of which was a radio operator, he took the disabled man’s radio and began to communicate with the medical evacuation helicopter. When the helicopter was unable to land, he expertly guided the aircraft to a position directly above the patrol where, again exposing himself to enemy fire, he cleared an area sufficient to allow the hoist to be lowered for the evacuation of the casualties. His heroic actions and composure in the face of grave danger undoubtedly were instrumental in saving several Marine lives and in routing the enemy force. Lance Corporal Bruce’s aggressive leadership, courage and inspiring devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. (Lance Corporal Bruce is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)