The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the

 

SILVER STAR MEDAL to

 

CORPORAL DENNIS F. SCALICI

 

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

 

For service as set forth in the following

 

CITATION:

 

                                    For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader Company L, Third Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 26 August 1968, while occupying a night defensive position near Dong Ha, company L came under a heavy volume of artillery and recoilless rifle fire supporting ground assault by a large North Vietnamese Army force.  A friendly listening post, which had sustained a casualty during the initial moments of the firefight, was returning to the perimeter. Upon learning about the situation, Corporal Scalici, then a Lance Corporal fearlessly exposed himself to enemy fire as he maneuvered across the hazardous terrain to assist the wounded mean. Alertly observing an enemy hand grenade land dangerously close to his position, Corporal Scalici unhesitatingly threw his body across that of his wounded comrade, shielding him from further injury. Although painfully wounded by the exploding hostile grenade, Corporal Scalici resolutely returned to his Fire Team and continued to direct his men in the defense of his sector of the company perimeter until directly ordered to withdraw for treatment of his wounds. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the life of a fellow Marine. By his courage, bold initiative and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Corporal Scalici 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