RICHARD M. GILLELAND. For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company M, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 23 February 1969, the Second Platoon of Company M was dispatched to the Bo Ban area of Hieu Duc District in Quang Nam Province to assist a squad from another platoon, which had become heavily engaged with a well-entrenched North Vietnamese Army battalion. Having reached their objective, the Marines commenced a reconnaissance in force across a rice paddy covered with heavy grass. Unhesitatingly leading the nearest squad, Sergeant Gilleland was immediately engaged in fierce hand-to-hand combat with hostile soldiers who had been concealed in the tall grass. He inspired his men by his example, and during the initial moments of the fierce engagement, the Marines killed twelve hostile soldiers in fierce close combat. After pausing momentarily to allow fixed-wing strikes on the enemy, Sergeant Gilleland initiated another aggressive assault enabling his men to force the North Vietnamese soldiers back into concealed areas. When the Marines approached within a few meters of the hostile emplacements they sustained a number of casualties, and Sergeant Gilleland valiantly crossed the fire-swept area on six seperate occasions to lead the wounded men to places of relative security, thereby saving their lives. His heroic and determined efforts inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his platoon’s accounting for thirty-six hostile soldiers killed and vast quantities of enemy weapons and equipment captured. By his courage, bold initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Sergeant Gilleland upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Mr. Gilleland resides in Tennessee.