The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Raymond M. Kelley, Jr., United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity In action against the enemy as a machine gun team leader with Company D, First Battalion, Third Marines, in the Republic of Vietnam. On 18 May 1967, Lance Corporal Kelley’s unit was executing a relief mission for an adjacent company pinned down by heavy enemy fire. He aggressively maneuvered his machine gun team onto a high vantage point from which his team provided observation and devastating suppressive fire. As enemy fire on this position intensified, his team sustained multiple casualties. Disregarding his own safety, Lance Corporal Kelley repeatedly placed himself in the open in order to assist the wounded Marines to the platoon command post where they could receive medical attention. Undaunted by the danger, he refused to allow his machine gun to be captured. He regained his fighting position, and ignoring his own wounds, murderously engaged the enemy until they broke contact. Lance Corporal Kelley’s selfless and bold actions, courage under fire, and devotion to duty, reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Marine Corps.