The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the

BRONZE STAR MEDAL to

       PRIVATE FIRST CLASS FREDERICK E. LYNCH

             UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

For service as set forth in the following

    CITATION:

               "For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam while serving as a rifleman with Company H, Second Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division on 18 and 19 September 1968. The action took place during hours of darkness, in a position of the Company TAOR, approximately five miles south of Da Nang in Quang Nam Province. Private First Class Lynch was a member of a five man patrol when it engaged portions of a superior enemy force which had attacked another patrol from Company H. During the ensuing fire fight, Private First Class Lynch, armed with hand grenades and a M-16 rifle, single-handedly fought off three attempts by forward elements of the enemy force to penetrate his sector of the patrols position by wounding or killing all enemy conducting the attack. Additionally, Private First Class Lynch is credited with saving the life of his patrol leader who was attacked by the enemy while placing Claymore Mines around their position, and subsequently being part of a three Marine maneuver unit which aggressively attacked and destroyed several enemy units moving toward their position. His bold initiative, fierce fighting, and timely actions contributed significantly to the defeat of the hostile force and to the subsequent relief of the other Combat Patrol which had been attacked initially. Private First Class Lynch's courage, aggressive fighting spirit, and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service." 

The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized. 

                                           FOR THE PRESIDENT

V

  Richard Deinzy 

Secretary of the Navy