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The President of the United States takes pride in presenting
the
BRONZE STAR MEDAL
to
LANCE CORPORAL FRANCIS JOSEPH ESPINOZA
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
For services as set forth in the following
CITATION:
“For heroic achievement in connection with operations against the enemy in
the Republic of Vietnam while serving with Company L, Third Battalion,
Third Marines, Third Marine Division. On 7 September 1967, Lance Corporal
ESPINOZA’s unit came under intense enemy small arms, automatic weapons and
mortar fire while advancing to relieve an ambushed convoy on National Route
Nine north of Ca Lu in Quang Tri Province. During the ensuing fire fight
the Marines became temporarily halted and sustained several casualties.
With complete disregard for his own safety, Lance Corporal ESPINOZA
unhesitatingly exposed himself to the hostile fire to provide covering fire
for the platoon corpsman while he administered aid to the wounded.
Fearlessly maneuvering across the hazardous terrain to within twenty meters
of the enemy positions, he delivered accurate suppressive fire and threw
hand grenades, killing two North Vietnamese soldiers. Ignoring the hostile
fire around him, he carried one of his wounded comrades to a place of
relative safety and assisted in the evacuation of a mortally wounded
Marine. Subsequently, he continued to provide covering fire to enable the
corpsman to render medical assistance to other casualties. His superb
professionalism and bold initiative in the face of extreme personal danger
were an inspiration to all who observed him and were instrumental in saving
the lives of several fellow Marines. Lance Corporal ESPINOZA’s courage,
aggressive fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty contributed
significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and were in
keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United
States Naval Service.”
Lance Corporal ESPINOZA is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.
For the President
V. H. KRULAK
LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS
COMMANDING GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC
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