The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Nicholas Eugene Walsh, United States Navy, for gallantry in action while serving with Navy Sea, Air, Land Team ONE (SEAL Team 1), in action with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong communist aggressors in the Republic of Vietnam. On 30 September 1970, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Walsh was serving as assistant patrol commander of a fifteen-man SEAL day combat patrol, tasked with the mission of locating and destroying a major Viet Cong munitions and weapons repair facility deep within enemy controlled territory. While moving toward the objective, a Viet Cong command-detonated mine exploded to the rear of the patrol, wounding seven SEALs, including the patrol leader. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Walsh took command of the patrol and continued toward the objective, giving directions which exhibited both imagination and resourcefulness in directing fire upon the encroaching enemy. His firm leadership and command decisiveness were instrumental in throwing the enemy off balance. After seizing the objective, he conducted a search and found over two hundred grenades, thirty mines, partially dismantled bombs and all manner of tools and equipment for the manufacture of booby-traps. He began placing a demolition pack inside the structure when another booby-trap detonated and wounded him. Although severely wounded, he managed to stagger to his feet, picked up his fellow wounded SEAL’s equipment and walked out to the loading zone unassisted, thereby enabling his teammates to devote their entire efforts to another SEAL who had been more seriously wounded. By his daring actions and loyal devotion to duty in the face of personal risk, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Walsh upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.