The President of the United States, in the name of The Congress, takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS GARY W. MARTINI

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above

and beyond the call of duty.

On 21 April 1967, during Operation Union, elements of Fox Company, conducting offensive operations at Binh Son, encountered a numerically superior and firmly entrenched enemy force, and immediately deployed to engage them.

The Marines in PFC Martini's platoon assaulted across an open rice paddy to within twenty meters of the enemy trench line where they were suddenly struck by hand grenades, intense small arms and automatic weapons fire, and a mortar barrage.

The enemy onslaught killed 14 and wounded 18 Marines, pinning the remainder of the platoon behind a low rice paddy dike. In the face of imminent danger, PFC Martini immediately crawled over the dike to a forward open area within fifteen meters of the enemy position, where, continuously exposed to enemy fire, he hurled hand grenades, killing several of the enemy.

Crawling back through intense fire, he rejoined his platoon which had moved to the relative safety of a trench line. From this position, he observed several of his wounded comrades lying helplessly in the fire-swept paddy.

Although he knew that one man had been killed trying to assist the wounded, PFC Martini raced through the open area and dragged a comrade back to a friendly position.

In spite of a serious wound received during the first daring rescue, he again braved the unrelenting fury of the enemy fire to aid another companion lying wounded only twenty meters in front of the enemy trench line. As he reached the fallen Marine, he received a mortal wound.

Disregarding his own condition, he began to drag the Marine toward his platoon's position. Observing others from his unit attempting to leave the security of their position to aid him, he called to them to remain under cover, and, through a final, supreme effort, moved his injured comrade to where he could be pulled to safety before he fell, succumbing to his wounds.

Stouthearted and indomitable, PFC Martini unhesitatingly yielded his life to save two of his comrades and ensure the safety of the remainder of his platoon. His outstanding courage, valiant fighting spirit, and selfless devotion to duty reflected the highest credit upon himself, the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

/S/ RICHARD M. NIXON