The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Chris A. Sweeney, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as TOW Gunner, 1st Squad, 3d Section, Combined Anti-Armor Team I, Weapons Company, First Battalion, Eighth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force on 25 and 26 February 1991, in support of Operation DESERT STORM. During the early morning hours of 25 February 1991, as Lance Corporal Sweeney’s unit prepared to move north, an enemy armored battalion launched an aggressive counterattack against the Battalion’s vulnerable right flank. He positioned his vehicle and within minutes destroyed two Iraqi tanks that were rapidly approaching the Battalion’s flank. Without regard for his own safety while under heavy small arms and tank main gun fire, Lance Corporal Sweeney remained dangerously exposed for more than eleven seconds as he engaged and destroyed an enemy armored personnel carrier. Realizing his position had become untenable, he directed his vehicle into an abandoned enemy revetment and engaged and destroyed a third enemy tank. As the Battalion continued its attack, Lance Corporal Sweeney observed several enemy tanks in hull-defilade positions in prepared revetments. Recognizing the imminent threat to the Battalion, he quickly went into action destroying three enemy tanks with lightning speed. On 26 February 1991 as the Battalion continued its attack toward Kuwait City, Lance Corporal Sweeney engaged and destroyed two additional enemy tanks. Moments later, the Battalion’s lead elements came under intense enemy fire from an Iraqi tank. Without hesitation, he moved forward and destroyed the enemy vehicle. Lance Corporal Sweeney’s aggressive initiative, superior gunnery skills, and courageous devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.