The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the

SILVER STAR MEDAL to

      SERGEANT MAJOR MARION A. VIERA JR

             UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

For service as set forth in the following

    CITATION  (Synopsis)

            "The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Marion Viera (310096), Sergeant Major, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion1st Marines, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on July 3, 1969. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Sergeant Major Viera upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United

States Naval Service."

                        For the President,

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20550-1000

Sergeant Major Marion A. Viera

LCpl Micheal J. Clayton H&S 1969-1970 <[email protected]> adds:

On july 3, 1969 at 1300 a squad from the C/P area led by Sgt/Maj Viera  were walking along a river bank when hit by an incoming grenade. The grenade landed at my feet ( LCpl Mike Clayton, radioman), I looked at it and couldn't move and at that moment Sgt/Maj Viera knocked me down and picked up and threw the grenade and was wounded in doing so...for his gallantry he was awarded the Silver Star.