SILVER STAR

Captain Joseph Tenney, Kilo Company

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
HEADQUARTERS, FLEET MARINE FORCE. PACIFIC
.FPO, SAN FRANCISCO 96610


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

CAPTAIN JOSEPH RICKS TENNEY 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 Company K, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the night of 6 September 1967, Captain TENNEY led his company to reinforce another unit which was heavily engaged with a numerically superior and well-entrenched North Vietnamese Army force. Upon 
reaching the besieged company's position, he skill­fully maneuvered his men through the intense enemy automatic weapons and mortar fire and directed the reinforcement of the defensive positions. Repeatedly exposing himself to the hostile fire, Captain TENNEY courageously moved from one position to another where contact with the enemy was the heaviest, shouting words of encouragement to his men and directing their fire. Disregarding his own safety, he continuously moved about the fire-swept area to inspect the vital machine gun positions and, on two occasions, when the crew members had become casualties, quickly obtained replacements and immediately placed the weapons back in operation. Throughout the attack, he fearlessly moved through the hostile fire to select positions from which he could best direct the efforts of his company which, on two occasions, halted the enemy's advance within five meters of the Perimeter. After the final enemy assault had been repulsed, he consolidated his positions and, for the remainder of the night, he supervised the collection, treatment and evacuation of casualties. His aggressiveness and outstanding professionalism were an inspiration to all who served with him and contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of his unit's mission. By his steadfast courage, superb leadership and unswerving devo­tion to duty at great personal risk, Captain TENNEY upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."

FOR THE PRESIDENT



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