Mike & H&S Companies 

Third Battalion, Fifth Marines

Veterans of the Vietnam War

Philip Stern

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

HEADQUARTERS, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC

FPO, SAN FRANCISCO, 96610

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

HOSPITALMAN PHILIP L. STERN

UNITED STATES NAVY

For service as set forth in the following

        CITATION:

                    “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Corpsman with Company M, Third Battalion, Fifth marines, First Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam.  On the morning of 6 February 1968, Company M was maneuvering toward suspected enemy positions in the village of Thanh Quit when the marines suddenly came under intense hostile small arms, automatic weapons and mortar fire and sustained several casualties.  Disregarding his own safety, Hospitalman STERN fearlessly moved across the fire-swept terrain and began rendering first aid to the wounded men.  While treating a casualty, he was wounded in the ankle and became unable to walk.  Steadfastly refusing medical treatment, he ignored his injury and crawled about the hazardous area, administering first aid to his comrades.  When his unit was ordered to withdraw to a more defensible position, he assisted in evacuating the casualties and, utilizing a poncho, dragged a wounded man across the fire swept terrain to a position of relative safety.  Only after all casualties had been moved to covered positions, did he permit himself to be evacuated.  By his courage, sincere devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Hospitalman STERN upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.”

FOR THE PRESIDENT,

V. H. KRULAK

LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS

COMMANDING GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC