Roy Thomas Burns

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Roy Thomas Burns (2264776), Private, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an Assistant Team Leader with Company B, Third Reconnaissance Battalion, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 2 September 1967, Private Burns was the Point Man of an eight-man reconnaissance team which was inserted by helicopter deep in enemy controlled territory. Almost immediately upon leaving the landing zone, the patrol came under intense small arms and automatic weapons fire from a hostile force located within 100 meters of the Marines’ position. Reacting instantly, Private Burns and another Marine delivered a heavy volume of return fire and killed all four members of the enemy unit. Discovering that an estimated force of seventy North Vietnamese Army Regulars was attempting to encircle his team, the patrol leader withdrew his men to the helicopter landing zone while Private Burns provided rear security. As the patrol quickly established a defensive perimeter, Private Burns alertly observed an enemy mortar squad and delivered accurate suppressive fire which killed a North Vietnamese officer and kept the remainder of the squad pinned down while effective supporting arms fire was directed against their position. On two occasions, Private Burns unhesitatingly exposed himself to enemy fire in order to attack enemy soldiers who were attempting to penetrate the patrol’s defenses. On each occasion, he fearlessly advanced across the fire-swept terrain to reach vantage points from which he delivered a sustained volume of rifle fire and threw hand grenades at the attackers. Although painfully wounded in the leg by an enemy round, he steadfastly remained in his dangerously exposed position until the enemy was repulsed and the Marines were safely evacuated from the area. In large measure due to his aggressive fighting spirit and calm presence of mind in the face of extreme personal danger, Private Burns was an inspiration to all who observed him and was instrumental in killing thirty-nine enemy soldiers. By his devotion to duty, Private Burns 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.