The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the

 

SILVER STAR MEDAL to

 

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS GARETH D. EUBANK

 

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

 

For service as set forth in the following

 

CITATION:

 

                                    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.

 

 

FOR THE PRESIDENT

 

 

H. W. BUSE, JR.

LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS

COMMANDING GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC