The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Hospital Corpsman Third Class [then Hospitalman] Jesse Joseph Pena (NSN: B-584194), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action during combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving as a Corpsman with Company B, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division. On 12 February 1970, during a platoon-size patrol in the Que Son Mountains of Quang Nam Province, the Marines came under a heavy volume of small arms and automatic weapons fire from North Vietnamese Army soldiers occupying well-concealed emplacements in a hedgerow to the front of the friendly unit. During the initial moments of the assault, the platoon sustained several casualties. Unhesitatingly leaving his relatively secure rear position, Petty Officer Third Class Pena fearlessly moved across the fire-swept terrain to the point of heaviest contact and, despite the enemy rounds impacting all around him, quickly administered first aid to the wounded men. Observing that a fire team was pinned down and in an open rice paddy and had also sustained casualties, he boldly rushed across the hazardous area and was treating the stricken men when, having become a target for enemy fire, he was mortally wounded. His heroic and determined actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the lives of several Marines. Petty Officer Third Class Pena’s courage, bold initiative, and selfless devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.