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

 

CAPTAIN JERRELL THOMAS FRICKER

 

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

 

 for service as set forth in the following

 

CITATION:


"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company E, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 19 September 1968, while participating in a search and destroy operation south of DaNang, Company E was assigned to reinforce an adjacent company that was heavily engaged with a North Vietnamese Army battalion. With no time to brief his subordinate unit commanders, Captain Fricker obtained a rifle from a wounded Marine and personally led his company to relieve the embattled unit. Before they reached their goal, the Marines came under intense hostile automatic weapons and antitank rocket fire as well as a hand grenade attack sustaining numerous casualties. Undaunted, Captain Fricker continued to maneuver his men across the fire-swept terrain in an effort to reach the other Marines.  Completely disregarding his own safety, he fearlessly moved among his platoons, shouting words of encouragement, pointing out targets and organizing teams to evacuate the wounded of both companies. Remaining in the field and directing the fire of his men for over two hours, he did not begin to withdraw his unit until after all the casualties had been moved to a position of relative safety. The following day, while his company was operating in the same area, he was seriously injured by an enemy explosive device, but steadfastly refused to leave the battlefield until ordered to board a medical evacuation aircraft. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the lives of numerous Marines. By his courage, aggressive leadership and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Captain Fricker contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit's mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."
FOR THE PRESIDENT,
 
H. W. BUSE, JR.
LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS
COMMANDING GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC