SILVER STAR

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

  STAFF SERGEANT PAUL JOHN ORLETT

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

For service as set forth in the following

 CITATION:

           For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company K, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the evening of 12 May 1967, after reinforcing another company heavily engaged with a well entrenched, numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force in Quang Tin Province, Staff Sergeant ORLETT rapidly assessed the situation and immediately established collection points for the evacuation of the casualties. He then ignored the heavy volume of hostile fire to assist the company commander in establishing a night defensive perimeter. Throughout the night, he moved repeatedly across the fire-swept area to ensure that maximum fire was being delivered against the enemy, forcing the North Vietnamese to break contact. When contact was reestablished the following day with an even larger enemy force and heavy Marine casualties were sustained, he completely disregarded his own safety as he maneuvered forward to exposed vantage points to pinpoint hostile emplacements and direct fire against them. Assuming the responsibilities of the Company Gunnery Sergeant when he was killed, Staff Sergeant ORLETT fearlessly moved through enemy fire to direct the employment of supporting arms, encourage his men and obtain and distribute vital ammunition resupplies. When the company commander was seriously wounded, Staff Sergeant ORLETT moved to the company command post and and coordinated the evacuation of the injured officer and other wounded Marines. Upon the arrival of Marine reinforcements, he provided accurate briefings on the locations of the enemy which led to the subsequent destruction of North Vietnamese positions in the area. By his steadfast courage, dynamic leadership and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Staff Sergeant ORLETT upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

FOR THE PRESIDENT,

F. C. THARIN

MAJOR GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS

ACTING COMMANDING GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC