Silver Star – Elton Armstrong

CITATION:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Elton Armstrong (MCSN: 2424349), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Machine Gunner with Company H, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam.

On 11 May 1969, during a search and destroy operation near An Hoa in Quang Nam Province, Private First Class Armstrong’s platoon came under a heavy volume of fire from a hostile force occupying well-concealed bunkers. Reacting instantly, he pinpointed a major source of enemy fire coming from one bunker and, with complete disregard for his own safety, moved across the hazardous area toward it. Although he became the target of concentrated hostile fire and hand grenades, he dauntlessly initiated repeated assaults against the formidable stronghold and, resolutely maintaining a dangerously exposed position, enabled his companions to execute an enveloping maneuver which resulted in the destruction of the emplacement.

His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his comrades’ accounting for four North Vietnamese soldiers killed, the capture of three individual weapons, and the destruction of an enemy machine gun. By his courage, bold initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Private First Class Armstrong contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.