SILVER STAR MEDAL to CORPORAL DENNIS F. SCALICI 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 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.
