Mike & H&S Companies 

Third Battalion, Fifth Marines

Veterans of the Vietnam War

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL to

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS FERNANDO DUARTE ALEGRIA

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

"For heroic achievement in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam while serving as a Radio Operator with Company M, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division.  On 8 May 1968 during Operation Houston II, Company M became heavily engaged with an estimated North Vietnamese Army battalion. Realizing that his company occupied a position of the enemy, Private First Class ALEGRIA volunteered to move to a vantage point were he could better observe the hostile force and its movements.  Ignoring the intense North Vietnamese small arms and automatic weapons fire around him, and moved to a position that afforded good observation and immediately requested the artillery forward observer to call in an artillery fire mission. While artillery fire support was being delivered on the hostile emplacements, Private First Class ALEGRIA relayed accurate adjustments to the artillery forward observer, contributing materially to the effectiveness of the employment of artillery of artillery fire.  In addition, he provided the necessary adjustments to the forward air controller during numerous air strikes against the North Vietnamese. Completely disregarding his own safety, he displayed exceptional courage and sound, tactical judgment as he remained in his position and directed supporting fire and close air support during the following three days. Returning to his platoon on 12 May, he was assigned the duties of Squad Leader.  When his platoon assaulted the final company objective, he skillfully maneuvered his men and directed their fire, successfully overrunning the enemy positions and accounting for four North Vietnamese soldiers confirmed killed.  Private First Class ALEGRIA's courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit's mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."

Private First Class ALEGRIA is authorized to wear the Combat "V".

FOR THE PRESIDENT,

H.W. BUSE JR.

LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS

COMMANDING GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC