SILVER STAR

Colonel Stanley Davis, Regimental CO

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the SILVER
STAR MEDAL to

COLONEL STANLEY DAVIS
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the Fifth Marines, First Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from 4 to 15
September 1967. Informed of a suspected North Vietnamese Army troop buildup in Que Son Valley south of DaNang, Colonel DAVIS immediately called upon all available intelligence sources to confirm the position and size of the hostile force. Realizing the urgency for speed in exploiting the opportunity to destroy the enemy troop concentration, he displayed outstanding professional skill and leadership in planning, coordinating and
commencing a timely search and destroy mission on 4 September 1967, which launched Operation Swift. Completely disregarding his own safety, he constantly exposed himself to North Vietnamese small arms and automatic weapons fire as he flew at low altitude in a command and control helicopter to make rapid estimates of the developing situation and formulate plans of action to counter hostile moves or exploit advantages gained by his units. Undaunted by the vicious enemy fire, Colonel DAVIS made frequent trips to the forward command posts of his battalions and to front line positions of his engaged units, often joining the battalion in heaviest combat in order to sustain the momentum of the regimental attack and to personally supervise and maneuver his men. His extensive knowledge of tactics, skillful deployment of elements of his command and sound judgment and advice instilled confidence and inspired his men to exert maximum effort as they fought to defeat the numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force. He personally directed the effective employment of supporting arms, including artillery, naval gunfire and close air support. As a result of Colonel DAVIS's expertly conceived and skillfully directed operation, his regiment inflicted over 570 enemy confirmed killed, 529 probable killed and destroyed hundreds of hostile emplacements and caves. In addition, several tons of enemy weapons, ammunition and equipment were captured. Due largely to his exceptional professional ability, resolute determination and sound tactical decisions, he contributed materially to the outstanding success of Operation
Swift, which had far reaching effects on projected enemy operations. By his dynamic leadership, courage and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Colonel DAVIS upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."

FOR THE PRESIDENT,

V.H.KRULAK
LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS
COMMANDING GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC