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The
President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
SILVER STAR
MEDAL to
Captain JOHN
W. RIPLEY
United
States Marine Corps
For service as set forth in the
following
CITATION:
“The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in
presenting the Silver Star to Captain John Walter Ripley, United States
Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while
serving as Commanding Officer of Company L, Third Battalion, Third Marines,
Third Marine Division, in connection with operations against the enemy in
the Republic of Vietnam. On 21 August 1967, Company L was assigned the
mission of reinforcing a convoy that had been surprised by a large enemy
force and was pinned down. With one rifle platoon, a small command group,
and accompanied by two M-42 dual 40-mm. anti-aircraft guns, Captain Ripley
was leading the relief column when it suddenly came under intense enemy
automatic weapons and recoilless rifle fire. Disregarding his own safety
and the heavy volume of hostile fire, he moved to the machine gun mounted
on the vehicle and opened fire, pinpointing the location of the well
concealed North Vietnamese and enabling the 40-mm. guns to deliver accurate
fire on the enemy positions. Directing his unit to dismount, he quickly
organized a defensive perimeter while coordinating supporting artillery
fire and simultaneously controlling the remainder of his company which was
widely separated from his position. Repeatedly exposing himself to the
hostile fire, he directed artillery fire and air strikes upon the attacking
enemy force and courageously adjusted fire missions to within fifty meters
of his position. Throughout the following three hours, his skillful
employment of supporting arms and direction of the fire of his men repulsed
the determined enemy attacks and forced the hostile units to flee in panic
and confusion. His aggressiveness and outstanding professionalism were an
inspiration to all who served with him and were instrumental in the
successful extraction of his unit from an extremely hazardous situation. By
his steadfast courage, superb leadership and unfaltering devotion to duty
at great personal risk, Captain Ripley upheld the highest traditions of the
Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."
For
The President
V.
H. KRULAK
Lieutenant
General, U. S. Marine Corps
Commanding
General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific
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