The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Lee Roy Bendell (MCSN: 0-50744), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 24 January 1968, Lieutenant Colonel Bendell deployed his battalion in support of a convoy ambushed on Route 9 and maneuvered his companies with extreme skill against a North Vietnamese Army force determined to destroy the convoy route. During the night, attack elements of Company M were heli-lifted to a position overlooking the ambush site and early the following morning he employed them to provide covering fire for the evacuation of casualties and the removal of damaged vehicles from the area. Throughout the day, Lieutenant Colonel Bendell repeatedly exposed himself to enemy small arms and mortar fire while coordinating the evacuation and clearing operations and directing the fire of his men. When the remainder of his battalion arrived on foot, he deployed his companies into defensive positions and maintained the security of the route throughout the night. Early the following morning, repositioning his companies on hills surrounding the ambush site, he secured areas 1,000 meters to the east and west of Route 9. Before daybreak on 27 January, Company M, positioned on a hill to the north, came under intense mortar and anti-tank weapons fire and was temporarily pinned down by elements of a reinforced North Vietnamese Army battalion. Moving continuously between his command post, Combat Operations Center and observation post, Lieutenant Colonel Bendell expertly maneuvered his units into positions to reinforce the besieged company. In the ensuing fire fight, Lieutenant Colonel Bendell called in and directed fire support missions against the enemy in coordination with a counterattack by one of his companies. Disregarding his own safety, he moved from one key position to another, encouraging his officers and directing their activities. On one occasion, Lieutenant Colonel Bendell obtained a casualty’s rifle and directed accurate fire against the enemy. When one of his companies sustained several casualties, including the commanding officer and gunnery sergeant, he unhesitatingly exposed himself to the intense enemy fire as he moved to the position, reorganized the company and directed an attack against the enemy. Under his dynamic leadership and motivated by his indomitable fighting spirit, his battalion repulsed the enemy’s effort to overrun the Marines’ position and thereby opened Route 9 to convoy traffic. Throughout, his professional attitude and steadfast determination inspired all who observed him and contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his exceptional leadership, resolute courage and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Lieutenant Colonel Bendell upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.