The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the

BRONZE STAR MEDAL to

            SECOND LIEUTENANT CARL E. KING

                                UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

For service as set forth in the following

    CITATION:

               "For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the republic of Vietnam while serving as Weapons Platoon Commander with Company H, Second Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division. On the evening of 13 October 1968, while providing security for a new and as yet incomplete combat base southeast of DaNang, the weapons platoon came under a vicious ground attack by North Vietnamese Army sappers who succeeded in infiltrating the friendly position. After severely wounding several Marines with hand grenade, the sappers occupied the bunkers of the causalities and delivered machine gun fire while other hostile soldiers utilized hand grenades and mortar fire from outside the defensive perimeter. When a grenade detonated near the company commander and the resulting concussion left him temporarily stunned, Second Lieutenant King unhesitatingly assumed command and, fearlessly moving about the fire-swept terrain, directed the fire of his men at the enemy positions. With complete disregard for his own safety, he then led an aggressive counterattack against the two bunkers occupied by the hostile soldiers and, although seriously wounded in the leg, resolutely continued his determined attack until the emplacements were regained and the hostile soldiers were routed. His heroic and determined actions inspired all who observed him, contributed significantly to the defeat of the enemy, and restored the security of the combat base. Second Lieutenant King's courage, bold initiative, and steadfast devotion to duty were in the keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service." 

The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized. 

                                         FOR THE PRESIDENT

V

                               H. W. BUSE, JR.

                  LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS

     COMMANDING GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC