Michael John Stevens

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Michael John Stevens (0-95091), First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company B, Third Engineer Battalion, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 18 September 1967, First Lieutenant Stevens, as the Team Leader of a mine clearing detail, was advancing in front of his men and accompanying security forces during an operation near Camp Evans in Thua Thien Province. As he moved through an open area covered with dense undergrowth, he alertly observed a portion of detonation cord camouflaged in the thick undergrowth and immediately recognized it to be of Chinese Communist manufacture. Realizing that the cord was probably connected to enemy command detonated mines in the area, First Lieutenant Stevens unhesitatingly, and with complete disregard for his own safety, boldly reached forward and cut the line. Almost simultaneously, the enemy detonated the explosive devices which severed three fingers on his right hand and paralyzed his left wrist and hand. A subsequent inspection of the mined area revealed that, as a result of his immediate evaluation of the situation and presence of mind, only seven of twenty-one mines in the area were successfully detonated, undoubtedly saving the lives of several Marines. By his courageous actions, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, First Lieutenant Stevens upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.