SILVER STAR MEDAL to PRIVATE FIRST CLASS TONY A. CISNEROS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS For service as set forth in the following CITATION: FOR THE
PRESIDENT H. W. BUSE,
JR. LIEUTENANT
GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS COMMANDING
GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting
the
For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company
K, Third Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine Division in connection with
operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 7 February
1968,Private First Class Cisneros’ platoon was pinned down by the fire from
an estimated North Vietnamese Army battalion south of Gio Linh and
sustained numerous casualties. Observing a wounded Marine lying fifty
meters to his front, Private First Class Cisneros completely disregarded
his own safety and crawled under intense hostile fire to retrieve the
casualty. Enroute to the injured man, he fired to light antitank assault
round at hostile emplacements, killing three enemy soldiers. Upon reaching
the wounded Marine, Private First Class Cisneros picked up his companion
and began carrying him back toward the friendly lines when he was forced to
stop and return fire due to the increasing intensity of enemy fire.
Undaunted, he again picked up the casualty and had returned to within
twenty-five meters of his platoon’s position when he was wounded in the
foot and ankle. Although he was unable to continue, his proximity to Marine
positions facilitated the prompt rescue of both himself and his companion.
By his courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty at great
personal risk, Private First Class Cisneros undoubtedly saved the life of
his wounded comrade and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps
and of the United States Naval Service.
