Mike & H&S Companies Third Battalion, Fifth Marines
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The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL posthumously to LANCE CORPORAL JEFFERY A. GOSS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company M, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in the Republic of Vietnam on 7 February 1968. Lance Corporal (then Private First Class) Goss was a member of a reaction force assigned to assist a friendly patrol that had established contact with a numerically superior enemy force on National Route One south of Danang. As the force arrived at the besieged unit's position, they were taken under devastating enemy small-arms, automatic weapons and mortar fire. Observing a wounded machine gunner lying in an area dangerously exposed to enemy fire, Lance Corporal Goss fearlessly ran across the fire swept terrain to the side of the casualty. After picking up the wounded mand the machine gun, he began maneuvering toward a Combined Action Platoon's defensive perimeter 400 meters away. As he was brought under intense enemy fire, he placed the injured man in a covered position and began delivering a heavy volume of accurate suppressive fire on the enemy position. Undaunted by the enemy rounds impacting around him, he continued to expose himself to provide covering fire while all the casualties were evacuated. By his bold initiative, gallant fighting spirit and loyal devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Goss reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. For the President
Commandant of the Marine Corps |