The President of the United states takes pleasure in presenting the

SILVER STAR MEDAL to

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS

MICHAEL J. CRAVENS

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an Assault Man in the 3rd Platoon of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines against North Vietnamese (NVA) forces in the Republic of vietnam on 7 September 1967. Private First Class Cravens' unit was sent out as a reaction force to relieve pressure on a vehicle convoy which had been ambushed by NVA forces on Route 9, just west of the Rockpile in Quang Tri Province. Company L linked up with Company I at the ambush site and deployed to assault the enemy force that had inflicted severe casualties upon Company I. Private First Class Cravens was on the left flank when the entire company became pinned down by heavy machine gun fire from enemy positions to the front of the company. The unit began taking heavy casualties and was unable to continue the assault. Private First Class Craven spotted the machine gun position and immediately made a frontal assault directly into the enemy position. With total disregard for his own safety and through withering enemy fire, he killed the enemy gun crew with his rifle and the Company was then able to continue the attack, driving the NVA forces from the hilltop position. Private First Class Cravens then was ordered to take the captured machine gun down the slope to Route 9 to the Company Commander. When he got to the road, he observed six wounded Marines in exposed positions taking direct fire from the enemy. Private First Class Cravens summoned help from another Marine and the two, of them made three trips across the road under heavy enemy fire, retrieving the six wounded Marines and saving their lives. By his extraordinary courage, inspiring valor, and selfless devotion to duty, Private First Class Cravens reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

For the President,

Secretary of the Navy

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