Mike & H&S Companies 

Third Battalion, Fifth Marines

Veterans of the Vietnam War

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL to

  CAPTAIN HOWARD B. NIELSEN

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

For service as set forth in the following

 CITATION:

           For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as the First Platoon Commander with Company “M”, Third Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment, First Marine Division in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 11 September 1968, Company “M” was conducting a search mission in Quang Nam Province when the Marines of the lead platoon came under intense automatic weapons, small arms and mortar fire from an entrenched North Vietnamese Army Force, pinning down the platoon and initially wounding seven Marines including the Platoon Commander. Efforts to withdraw the wounded under the intense fire caused four more casualties. Captain (then Second Lieutenant) Nielsen personally advanced five times to the forward position of the engagement area, physically dragging wounded Marines to an area of relative safety at the edge of the treeline. The last two trips were to a position within 30 meters of the enemy position where he personally silenced an automatic weapons position with grenades and rifle fire. Reorganizing his platoon under cover of supporting arms, he fearlessly and without hesitation, led an assault on the remaining enemy positions, exposing himself countless times to the enemy fire while directing his Marines in the attack, thus causing the enemy to flee. Captain Nielsen’s dauntless courage, bold initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

FOR THE PRESIDENT,

J. WILLIAM MIDDENDORF

Secretary of the Navy

(Acting)