FIRST LIEUTENANT MICHAEL I. NEIL, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company D, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), during operations against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam on 20 December 1967. Informed by a squad size ambush patrol that an estimated one hundredViet Cong were moving toward its position at Phoue Ninh (2), in Quang Nam Province, First (then Second) Lieutenant Neil quickly organized a twelve man reaction force and led his small unit to the assistance of the patrol. Disregarding the intense enemy fire, he led his men across 1,300 meters of thickly forested terrain to the Marine patrol which was heavily engaged with the enemy force. When the advance was halted by intense small arms, automatic weapons and rifle grenade fire from the hostile positions, he, with complete disregard for his own safety, exposed himself to the devastating fire to hurl hand grenades and direct his men’s fire which momentarily silenced the enemy weapons. Suddenly the Marines came under mortar fire. Shouting words of encouragement to his men, he boldly moved through the hail of enemy fire, leading an assault against the enemy positions. Observing a wounded comrade in an exposed position he removed his armored vest and placed it over the casualty to protect him from further injury. Picking up the wounded man’s M-79 Grenade Launcher, he delivered intense and accurate fire against the enemy. When the momentum of the attack decreased, he rallied his men and led a determined assault into the face of the enemy fire. Throwing hand grenades as he advanced, he destroyed a machine-gun emplacement and mortally wounded several enemy with his pistol. By his bold initiative, gallant fighting spirit and loyal devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Neil reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

BG Neil resides in California.