The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Hospitalman Terry L. Leitner (NSN: 7716728), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 10 February 1966, while serving as a Platoon Corpsman with Company I, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in connection with military operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. When his platoon was subjected to intense enemy mortar fire during Operation DOUBLE EAGLE, Hospitalman Leitner, with mortar rounds bursting all around him, fearlessly ran forward to aid the wounded but was knocked to the ground and wounded in the neck by shell fragments. Disregarding his own painful wound, he picked himself up and continued to treat the other wounded. Realizing that he was too weak to make his way across a stream to aid a stricken Marine, he insisted that others assist him to the man’s position where he could supervise medical care. Subsequently, he organized and coordinated the evacuation of the wounded, stubbornly refusing to take his place on the rescue helicopter until all other casualties were aboard. Inspiring all who were engaged in the action by his valiant effort, he undoubtedly saved the lives of several of the wounded Marines. By his uncommon concern for the welfare of others at great risk to his own life, Hospitalman Leitner upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.