SILVER STAR MEDAL to PRIVATE FIRST CLASS GARETH D. EUBANK 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 as a
Grenadier with Company L, Third Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine
Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of
Vietnam. On the night of 28 August 1968, Company L was occupying a
defensive position near the Rockpile in Quang Tri Province when the
Marines.were attacked by a large North Vietnamese Army force employing mortars,
small arms, automatic weapons and hand grenades. Alertly observing that the
listening post located forward of the company perimeter was in danger of
being overrun, Private First Class Eubank fearlessly moved from his
fighting hole, and assuming a dangerously exposed firing position along a
trail leading to the beleaguered post, he commenced delivering an accurate
volume of suppressive grenade launcher fire on the hostile soldiers,
enabling his comrades to maneuver back to the friendly lines. As the advancing
enemy turned the brunt of their attack upon the main company defenses, he
boldly remained in his hazardous position and was continuing his effective
fire when he was painfully wounded. Ignoring his injury, Private First
Class Eubank resolutely manned his position and, despite two additional
serious wound, continued his determined efforts until the initial North
Vietnamese assault had been smashed. Realizing how exposed his location
was, Private First Class Eubank refused to allow a Corpsman to come to his
aid and tenaciously crawled to a safe area for treatment. His daring
imitative and heroic efforts inspired all who observed him and contributed
significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission, By his courage,
resolute determination and selfless devotion to duty, Private First Class
Eubank upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United
States Naval Service.
