Mike & H&S Companies 

Third Battalion, Fifth Marines

Veterans of the Vietnam War

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

CORPORAL STUART H. TYSON

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

For service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

          For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with Company M, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. During the early morning hours of 7 June 1969, Company M was occupying a night defensive position in the Goi Noi Island area of Quang Nam Province. Suddenly, the Marines came under a vicious ground assault by a North Vietnamese Army company utilizing small arms and automatic weapons and concentrating their attack on Corporal Tyson’s sector of the perimeter. During the ensuing engagement, the hostile force made repeated attempts to overrun Corporal Tyson’s emplacement, and on each occasion, in a daring display of leadership, he fearlessly moved across the fire-swept terrain from one Marine position to another, pointing out targets to his men and shouting words of encouragement to them. Observing two wounded Marines lying a in a position dangerously exposed to the enemy fire, Corporal Tyson completely disregarded his own safety as he raced through the hazardous area to his injured companions. Seemingly ignoring the hostile hand grenades thrown at him, Corporal Tyson quickly rendered first aid to the casualties, and while he was assisting the men toward covered positions, the North Vietnamese again assaulted the perimeter. Realizing the need for immediate action, Corporal Tyson boldly stood in full view of the enemy soldiers and hurled hand grenades which killed two North Vietnamese and temporarily halted the hostile advance. Quickly returning to his squad, Corporal Tyson shouted instructions to his men and directed their devastating suppressive fire which disrupted the assault and forced the North Vietnamese Army unit into a disorganized retreat. When the hostile unit initiated a third attack against the same sector of the unit’s defensive perimeter, Corporal Tyson was mortally wounded while vigorously defending his position. His heroic and determined actions inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of this unit’s mission. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty, Corporal Tyson upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his in the service of his country.

For the President,

H.W. BUSE, JR.

LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS

COMMANDING GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC