Ted D. Britt

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Ted D. Britt (2378809), Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader with Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, THIRD Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 30 March 1968, during Operation SCOTLAND. Company B was conducting a patrol near the Khe Sanh Combat Base when the Marines came under intense mortar and automatic weapons fire from a numerically superior, well-entrenched North Vietnamese Army force and sustained numerous casualties. Directed to envelop the enemy positions, Private First Class Britt rapidly deployed his men and skillfully maneuvered them in a determined assault upon the flank of the hostile emplacements. Delivering a heavy volume of accurate fire, he boldly led his Marines through the fortified trench line, routing the enemy soldiers and seizing the positions. While reorganizing to continue the attack, his squad was suddenly pinned down by hostile mortar and machine gun fire. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Private First Class Britt alertly pinpointed the primary source of fire and unhesitatingly left his covered position to assault the automatic weapons emplacement. Fearlessly moving across the fire-swept terrain, he reached the fortified bunker and, delivering a heavy volume of accurate fire, killed four enemy soldiers and silenced the hostile fire. Continuing his determined efforts, he launched another attack against an enemy fighting hole, and while boldly advancing, he was fatally wounded. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his unit accounting for 115 North Vietnamese soldiers confirmed killed. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty, Private First Class Britt upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.