The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the

SILVER STAR MEDAL to


SERGEANT MICHAEL R. BR0WN 

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

For service as set forth in the following

Citation:



"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Chief Scout of the Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 9 August 1968, Company M of the Third Battalion was assaulting a large North Vietnamese Army force occupying well fortified positions on Hill 310 in Quang Nam Province when the Marines came under a heavy volume of hostile fire and were pinned down. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Sergeant BROWN unhesitatingly left the relative safety of the battalion command post and maneuvered across 700 meters of dangerously exposed terrain to assist the beleaguered unit. Arriving at Company M's position, he boldly volunteered to lead a squad in an attack on the enemy's defenses. Ignoring the hostile rounds impacting near him, he aggressively maneuvered his squad toward the North Vietnamese force, and as the Marines approached the objective, he skillfully deployed his men and directed them in delivering suppressive fire. Disregarding his own safety, he then moved to the enemy's right flank and fearlessly launched an assault against a hostile position, silencing it with a hand grenade. Continuing his determined efforts, he then led his squad through the enemy's fortifications and directed his men in destroying two additional North Vietnamese emplacements. His bold initiative and resolute determination inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit's mission. By his courage, aggressive leadership and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Sergeant BROWN upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.