Terrance A. Picciano

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Terrance A. Picciano (2366238), Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Radio Operator with Company E, Second Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 6 June 1968, while conducting a patrol southeast of Con Thien, a platoon from Company E suddenly came under an intense automatic weapons and hand grenade attack from a well entrenched North Vietnamese Army force and sustained numerous casualties. Observing that the wounded men lay in positions dangerously exposed to hostile fire, Lance Corporal Picciano volunteered to assist in moving them to a covered area. After he aided a companion in carrying a mortally wounded Marine into a bomb crater, an enemy hand grenade suddenly landed in the bottom of the crater. Without regard for his own safety, Lance Corporal Picciano seized the lethal object and hurled it toward the enemy, thereby preventing possible death or serious injury to his comrade. Then, quickly realizing that intense fire from an enemy sniper prevented further rescue attempts, Lance Corporal Picciano accompanied by another Marine, fearlessly left his position in an attempt to silence the hostile fire. Undaunted by the intense fire, he boldly rushed toward the North Vietnamese emplacement, and as he approached the fortification, he was mortally wounded. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and enabled his unit to evacuate the wounded from the hazardous area. By his courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Picciano upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.