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The President of the United States takes pleasure
in presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL to
FIRST LIEUTENANT JOHN M. ZALIPSKI
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
"For heroic achievement
in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam
while serving as Executive Officer of Company M, Third Battalion, Twenty-Seventh
Marines, First Marine Division. On the afternoon of 18 May 1968, Company
M was moving to assist a friendly unit which was heavily engaged with
a large North Vietnamese Army force near the village of Le Bac (2) in
Quang Nam Province. Upon being informed that a squad from another unit
had become pinned down by intense automatic weapons fire and sustained
numerous causalities, First Lieutenant ZALIPSKI unhesitatingly led six
other Marines across the fire-swept terrain to the besieged unit's location.
Disregarding his own safety, he boldly moved about the hazardous area,
shouting words of encouragement to the men and skillfully directing
their withdrawal to positions of relative safety. Alertly observing
a wounded Marine lying in a position dangerously exposed to the intense
fire, First Lieutenant ZALIPSKI quickly directed the delivery of suppressive
fire on the hostile emplacements and, fearlessly moving forward evacuated
the casualty to a covered position. His bold leadership and sincere
concern for the welfare of his men inspired all who served with him
and were instrumental in saving the lives of several Marines. First
Lieutenant ZALIPSKI's courage, aggressive fighting spim and selfless
devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were in keeping
with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States
Naval Service."
First Lieutenant ZALIPSKI is authorized to wear the Combat
"V."
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