David D. Harbin
HOME OF RECORD:
Albuquerque, New Mexico
AWARD BY DATE OF ACTION:
February 4, 1968
Silver Star
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: United States Marine Corps
Rank: Lance Corporal
Company: Hotel
Battalion: Second Battalion
Regiment: Fifth Marines
Division: 1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF
GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal David D. Harbin (MCSN: 2238359), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with Company H, Second Battalion, Fifth Marine Division, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 4 February 1968 during Operation Hue City, Lance Corporal Harbin’s platoon was attacking the heavily defended North Vietnamese Army stronghold adjacent to the west side of Hue University.
Advancing as point element in the assault on the objective, his squad came under intense enemy small arms, automatic weapons, and B-40 rocket fire which temporarily halted the advance. Displaying exceptional courage and completely disregarding his own safety, Lance Corporal Harbin aggressively moved across the open, fire-swept area, delivering a heavy volume of fire against hostile positions until he reached the doorway of one of the buildings. Throwing hand grenades and delivering accurate M-16 rifle fire, he then fearlessly moved through the rooms to clear enemy resistance. Undaunted by the heavy volume of fire from mutually supporting positions within the North Vietnamese strong-hold, he unhesitatingly moved to another building within the objective complex.
Exhibiting dauntless courage, Lance Corporal Harbin boldly stood, exposed to enemy fire, in order to pinpoint the hostile positions and direct the fire of his squad against the emplacements. He then maneuvered his squad to a vantage point in a courtyard where he established a machine gun position and again remained exposed to North Vietnamese fire to locate enemy positions and direct accurate machine gun fire against them. Subsequently while searching the area, he encountered two groups of enemy soldiers and personally accounted for six additional enemy killed.
By his exceptional leadership, dauntless courage, and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Lance Corporal Harbin inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.