SILVER STAR MEDAL to PRIVATE FIRST CLASS RANDELL D. HERROD 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 an
Assistant Machine Gunner with Company K, Third Battalion, Third Marines,
Third Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in
the Republic of Vietnam. On 28 July 1969, Company K was occupying a night
defensive position approximately three miles northwest of Cam Lo in Quang
Tri Province. Suddenly, the Marines
came under heavy ground attack by a large North Vietnamese Army force
utilizing mortars, automatic weapons, and rocket-propelled grenades. During
the initial moments of the firefight, a hostile rocket-propelled grenade
exploded in Private First Class Herrod’s fighting position, seriously
wounding him and his two companions. After dragging his comrades to a
position of relative safety, he boldly shielded them from further injuries
with his own body and commenced delivering effective M-60 machine gun fire
at the enemy. Alertly observing several hostile soldiers who were
attempting to destroy nearby tanks with hand grenades, Private First Class
Herrod delivered such accurate fire with his weapon that the enemy soldiers
were forced to abandon their mission. When the hostile unit turned its
attention to his machine gun position, Private First Class Herrod,
completely disregarding his own painful wound, resolutely maintained his
exposed position and continued to fire at the enemy until reinforcements
arrived. His heroic and timely actions and sincere concern for the welfare
of his fellow man inspired all who observed him. By his courage, aggressive
fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme
personal danger, Private First Class Herrod contributed significantly to the
subsequent defeat of the North Vietnamese Army force and upheld the highest
traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
