The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the

SILVER STAR MEDAL to

LCpl CHRISTOPHER J. BUCHS

United States Marine Corps

For service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

    " The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Christopher J. Buchs, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company I, Third Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in the Republic of Vietnam. During Operation Starlight on the morning of 18 August 1965, Company I was engaged in conflict with a large force of the Viet Cong. Lance Corporal Buchs, a rifleman with the First Platoon, was advancing with his squad, providing security for tanks attached to the unit. Approaching a large trench line near the southern border of An Cuong village, the tanks were brought under an extremely heavy volume of fire. Upon observing that a Marine was hit, Lance Corporal Buchs leaped from the tank and ran, under fire, across an open field to him. Noticing fire still coming from the trench line, he jumped into the trench, and employing hand grenades and his rifle, silenced the enemy, killing at least four of the Viet Cong. Throughout the day Lance Corporal Buchs assisted in evacuating wounded Marines and was instrumental in saving many lives. Although wounded himself, he remained with his unit and continued the fight against the communist forces. By his daring actions and loyal devotion to duty in the face of personal risk, Lance Corporal Buchs upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."