The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Hospital Corpsman Gary S. Kovach (NSN: B-438456), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Corpsman with Combined Action Platoon 1-3-2, III Marine Amphibious Force, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. During the early morning hours of 8 May 1970, while the platoon occupied a night defensive position adjacent to the village of An Diem in the Binh Son District of Quang Ngai Province, the Marines and Popular Forces soldiers came under a vicious ground attack from a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force comprised of approximately 150 soldiers, supported by intense automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire. Reacting instantly, Petty Officer Kovach rushed from one defensive position to another to ascertain the welfare of the fighting men. During the considerable period of time required for him to make his rounds, he was constantly exposed to concentrated hostile fire but, despite the rounds impacting around him, continued his mission until he reached the command post where he could observe the entire area and listen for reports of casualties transmitted by radio. While fearlessly maintaining his vigil, an enemy soldier, who had broken through the perimeter attacked him and, in order to save his own life, Petty Officer Kovach was forced to kill the hostile soldier. Observing a seriously wounded Marine fall directly in the path of a group of advancing enemy, Petty Officer Kovach valiantly braved their frenzied fire as he rushed forward and, with the assistance of a nearby Marine, pulled the man to a location where he could render first aid in relative security. His task completed, he noted that the tempo of the battle had markedly increased and, fearing for the safety of his comrades, he charged through the fire raking the area to the point of heaviest enemy contact. Although painfully wounded himself during this period, on seven different occasions, he pulled casualties to safety across the hazardous terrain and in full view of the North Vietnamese Army soldiers. Throughout the protracted battle, he patrolled the defensive perimeter to ensure that no wounded man remained unattended. His heroic and determined actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the lives of several Marines. By his courage, resolute initiative, and selfless devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Petty Officer Kovach upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.