The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the

 

SILVER STAR MEDAL to

 

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS TONY A. CISNEROS

 

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

 

For service as set forth in the following

 

CITATION:

 

                                    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.

 

 

 

FOR THE PRESIDENT

 

 

 

H. W. BUSE, JR.

LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS

COMMANDING GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC