Well,,, not quite true, but what is about you? A Silver star, is second only to a Congressional Medal Of Honor,,, not given for "just being there" there has to be conspicuous gallantry, like you describe,,, If, a Marine did as you claim, it was so noted in the citation, because that type of heroism is rare.

The fight with the 9th marines in the ashau valley took place January 22 through March 18, 1969, so if you were wounded and only stayed a few months, you could have been there, could have done that.

You have stated before:
"I was in the 1/9, Walking Dead (First Battalion 9th Marines)"

"I was wounded in the A Shau Valley in February 1969 where the 9th marines attacked, took every objective we were ordered to and left it for the NVA to re-occupy within weeks, if not days. I still have less than full function of my left hand and shrapnel in my left arm and body from where a Chinese potato masher grenade landed near me and my platoon leader and I attempted to throw it back. I also have a Silver Star for that act of of desperate survival instinct."

"Even Dennis knows how to make a point-he corrected me on what year Vietnam had the most KIAs, albeit with an insult thrown in for good measure. . I was only there for a little less than two months in 1969 so I guess it was a mistake to think it was as bad the entire 12. Thanks Dennis. "

I have reviewed ALL the Silver Star Citations for Vietnam,,, here are the only 7 describing action the likes of which you claim.

Pick which one is you....

BROWN, RJ
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal to R J, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving in the Republic of Vietnam. Brown's unit was assigned the mission of aiding a Marine rifle company which was engaged with a numerically superior force of North Vietnamese Army Regulars. Disregarding his own safety, Brown unhesitatingly volunteered to lead a rescue detail forward of friendly lines to evacuate casualties and assist other Marines who were temporarily separated from their units. While maneuvering across the hazardous terrain, the rescue team came under increasingly heavy small-arms and automatic weapons fire and was forced to take cover in a nearby shell hole. As the Marines delivered effective return fire, an enemy hand grenade landed in the crater. Reacting instantly, Brown ignored the danger to himself, picked up the deadly grenade and threw it out of the crater where it exploded. Although painfully wounded by grenade fragments, he continued to direct his unit's return fire and, when superiority was gained, led his men in the search for casualties. After supervising the evacuation of several wounded comrades, he observed an enemy mortar delivering fire against Marine positions. Deploying his men, he skillfully led them against the hostile emplacement and quickly silenced the enemy mortar and a nearby machine gun position. Subsequently, he directed the withdrawal of his men to friendly lines and assisted in consolidating the defensive perimeter. His heroic and timely actions in the face of great personal danger were an inspiration to all who observed him and undoubtedly saved the lives of several fellow Marines. By his courage, outstanding professionalism and selfless devotion to duty, Brown contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit's mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
Home Town: Pine Beach, New Jersey
GIRETTI, A A.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal to A A. Giretti , U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 19 March 1969, during Operation Purple Martin near fire support base Neville in Quang Tri Province, Giretti's patrol was preparing to provide security for the eastern flank of the company when his Marines came under a heavy volume of small arms fire and hand grenade attack. Observing that a hostile machine gun emplacement was preventing the advance of his men, Giretti completely disregarded his own safety as he rushed across the fire-swept terrain and, armed only with a grenade and a pistol, aggressively assaulted and destroyed the enemy position. As he fearlessly moved toward a second objective, he was seriously wounded and knocked to the ground by small arms fire. Steadfastly determined to continue his attack, he was resolutely attempting to rise when he was wounded by the detonation of a hostile explosive device. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his company's subsequent defeat of the enemy. By his courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty, Giretti contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit's mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
Home Town: Baldwin, New York
HERROD, RD.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to R D. Herrod Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an Assistant Machine Gunner, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 28 July 1969, Company K was occupying a night defensive position approximately three miles northwest of Cam Lo. Suddenly, the Marines came under heavy ground attack by a large North Vietnamese Army force utilizing mortars, automatic weapons, and rocket-propelled grenades. During the initial moments of the firefight, a hostile rocket-propelled grenade exploded in Private First Class Herrod's fighting position, seriously wounding him and his two companions. After dragging his comrades to a position of relative safety, he boldly shielded them from further injuries with his own body and commenced delivering effective M-60 machine gun fire at the enemy. Alertly observing several hostile soldiers who were attempting to destroy nearby tanks with hand grenades, Private First Class Herrod delivered such accurate fire with his weapon that the enemy soldiers were forced to abandon their mission. When the hostile unit turned its attention to his machine gun position, Private First Class Herrod, completely disregarding his own painful wound, resolutely maintained his exposed position and continued to fire at the enemy until reinforcements arrived. His heroic and timely actions and sincere concern for the welfare of his fellow man inspired all who observed him. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Private First Class Herrod contributed significantly to the subsequent defeat of the North Vietnamese Army force and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
Home Town: Calvin, Oklahoma
KEEFE, F M.
Citation:The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal to F M. Keefe , U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as First Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 19 March 1969, the Battalion Command Post at Phu Lac came under an intense ground attack from approximately two hundred enemy sappers who were supported by rockets and mortars. Reacting instantly, Keefe was rushing to his defensive position adjacent to the mess hall when he observed six hostile soldiers who had penetrated the defensive wire and were moving toward the command bunker. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, he fearlessly moved between the enemy and the command bunker and began delivering rifle fire upon the soldiers who were firing at him. After killing one hostile soldier and forcing the others to take cover, Keefe continued firing his rifle as he attempted to reach a fighting trench, but was knocked to the ground by the explosion of an enemy grenade. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in preventing the destruction of the Battalion Command Bunker. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty, Keefe upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
Home Town: Montgomery, Alabama

KUEHLMANN, W G.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to W G. Kuehlmann , Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifleman with Company K, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Operation MEADE RIVER, Company K was occupying a night defensive position when Kuehlmann, alertly observed a hostile soldier throwing a hand grenade into the perimeter. When the grenade impacted just a few inches from the head of a sleeping Marine, Kuehlmann, fully aware that it might explode at any instant, unhesitatingly left his relative safe position and rushed to pick up the lethal object. Fearlessly hurling the grenade at the retreating enemy, Kuehlmann was wounded when it detonated immediately after leaving his hand. His heroic actions and sincere concern for the welfare of a companion inspired all who observed him and prevented a serious injury or possible death of a fellow Marine. By his courage, bold initiative, and selfless devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Kuehlmann upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Home Town: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

SCALICI, D F.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting of the Silver Star Medal to DF. Scalici Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader Company L, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam While occupying a night defensive position , company L came under a heavy volume of artillery and recoilless rifle fire supporting ground assault by a large North Vietnamese Army force. A friendly listening post, which had sustained a casualty during the initial moments of the firefight, was returning to the perimeter. Upon learning about the situation, Corporal Scalici, then a Lance Corporal fearlessly exposed himself to enemy fire as he maneuvered across the hazardous terrain to assist the wounded mean. Alertly observing an enemy hand grenade land dangerously close to his position, Corporal Scalici unhesitatingly threw his body across that of his wounded comrade, shielding him from further injury. Although painfully wounded by the exploding hostile grenade, Corporal Scalici resolutely returned to his Fire Team and continued to direct his men in the defense of his sector of the company perimeter until directly ordered to withdraw for treatment of his wounds. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the life of a fellow Marine. By his courage, bold initiative and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Corporal Scalici upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
Home Town: St. Paul, Minnesota

SCANLON, M J.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal to M J. Scanlon , Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifleman with Detachment, First Battalion, Ninth Marine Regiment, THIRD Marine Division, during operations against the enemy in Vietnam. Throughout the night, the Marines heard sounds of enemy activity. At dawn on 18 January, a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army patrol of approximately forty men was sighted moving toward their position. Corporal Scanlon quickly moved to his defensive position where he was observed by the approaching enemy. Demonstrating exceptional presence of mind, he warned his companions and immediately opened fire at the lead man of the North Vietnamese unit. His continued to bring effective fire to bear on the advancing enemy although wounded twice as the North Vietnamese moved to within fifteen meters of his position. Exhibiting exemplary courage and aggressive fighting spirit despite his painful wounds and the intense enemy fire directed at him, Corporal Scanlon maintained his position and halted the enemy's attempts to dislodge the flank security. When an enemy hand grenade landed within the patrol's defensive perimeter Corporal Scanlon, with complete disregard for his own safety, valiantly attempted to recover the grenade but was wounded. By his extraordinary courage, bold initiative, and selfless devotion to duty, Corporal Scanlon saved the lives of several Marines, inspired all those who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
Home Town: Norwalk, Connecticut

Thanks for your reply - I do appreciate it.

You're right about trusting people today. The day when a man's word was his bond and a handshake was better than any contract are gone. Honor, like common sense, is in short supply as too many regard these traits as old fashioned or outdated. In politics, these principles are as common as chicken lips. Yes, there are a few who stand out from the crowd as people of character and integrity, but not nearly enough to suit me.

It is due to this lack of honor we as Americans who want a better life for our children and grandchildren MUST hold our elected officials' feet to the fire. Voting is not enough and our Framers were well aware of that. Although it is impossible to get a perfect candidate into office, we can make improvements by keeping a watchful eye and make phone calls and/or letters when he/she screws up or actually does something beneficial to most people.

A great deal is said, as a five second search would show you, HG.

You sound to me as if you've got every syllable freeze dried to memory inside your brain.

http://bibleresources.org/abortion/

Thou Shalt Not Kill and Its Application to Abortion

God said to the prophet Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you. Before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5).

God knew this man before he was born. As he was forming in his mother’s womb God gave him his personality, talents, and temperament. If his mother had gotten an abortion, the “fetal tissue” she aborted would have been a real person named Jeremiah; a mighty prophet of God and the gift of God’s voice to the nations, though she would never have known.

Throughout the Bible God has plenty to say about the taking of an innocent life. Most people in our nation, though they may not be familiar with all of the Ten Commandments, know that “Thou Shalt Not Kill” is listed there somewhere.

The Hebrew word for “kill” in this instance specifically refers to “murder” — a premeditated and deliberate act of taking someone’s life. It is different than other forms of taking a life, which could be accidental, or in self-defense.

God has different laws regarding different sorts of death. But He continually opposes and speaks against murder, especially murder of the innocent.

Do not pollute the land where you are. Bloodshed pollutes the land and atonement cannot be made for the land on which the blood has been shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it. Do not defile the land where you live. Numbers 35:33-34

God’s judgment against the killing of an innocent life grows out of His love for humankind. The crime of murder is not only an offense against the sanctity of life; it is a pollutant upon the very land we live. God wants to spare us of the variety of ways this pollution is manifested.

When the land becomes defiled with sin, people cry out “where is God?” yet they refuse to take responsibility for breaking His laws, which were only given to us for our protection and good. Each sin that we commit is not merely an isolated incident, but will set off a chain reaction of other sins if not dealt with.

Since the legalization of abortion for instance, child abuse has increased over 1000%. This is the exact opposite of what those who legalized abortion thought it would do since it was assumed that only children who were initially unwanted were abused.

In Psalm 106, God speaks specifically against killing innocent children and babies. He says of His people: “They mingled with the nations and adopted their customs. They worshiped their idols which became a snare to them. They sacrificed their sons and their daughter to demons. They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan and the land was desecrated by their blood.”

Today we may scoff, or wonder in disbelief how anyone, especially someone who claimed to follow God, could sacrifice their child to an idol or a demon. Yet, an idol is anything that we worship before or in place of God. Today, children are sacrificed to the idols of selfishness, convenience, “freedom,” and ambition — sacrificed to the very demonic powers that are behind such idols.

Times really haven’t changed that much. Human nature hasn’t changed, nor has Satan’s schemes against that which God considered so precious that He died to redeem it – human life.

In Exodus 21:22 God gives a specific law regarding social order for the Israelites. He stated that if two men were fighting and hit a pregnant woman, thus causing her to give birth prematurely, they must be fined according to any damage done to the baby.

The fine must be paid in relation to the amount of damage inflicted upon the child. If God would make a law specifically referring to the rights of the unborn, then surely the unborn must be important to Him!

Ex 21:22 ¶ "If men struggle with each other and strike a woman with child so that she gives birth prematurely, yet there is no injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman's husband may demand of him, and he shall pay as the judges {decide.}

Ex 21:23 "But if there is {any further} injury, then you shall appoint {as a penalty}life for life ,

Ex 21:24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
Ex 21:25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

A Scientific View of Abortion

Just 18 days after conception, the baby’s heart begins to beat. At six weeks, brain waves can be measured. At eight weeks, the vital organs are functioning and fingerprints have formed. At nine weeks, the unborn baby is able to feel pain.

Over 700,000 abortions each year are performed after this point in the pregnancy. By the beginning of the second month, the unborn child, small as it is, has begun to look distinctly human, though the mother may not even be aware that she is pregnant!

By the time the baby is eleven weeks old, he or she breaths (fluid), swallows, digests, sleeps, dreams, wakes, tastes, hears, and feels pain. Babies born prematurely can survive outside the womb as young as 20-25 weeks old.

Yet, all that is necessary to make the baby a grown human being is already there from the moment of conception. All it needs is time to mature.

Former Surgeon General, Dr. C. Everett Koop stated “We now know when life begins because the test-tube baby proves that life begins with conception. What do you have in the dish? An egg and a sperm. What do you add to it to get a baby? Nothing.”

Though it is wee, it is still a real person, just as a crumb of bread is still real bread. No one who has been given the gift of life should dare despise the day of small beginnings. Have we forgotten so quickly that we were once as small?

“In the tiny, almost invisible thirty two cell blastocyst–in that one gram or so of tissue–there is a physical potential and moral destiny unparalleled in our universe.

Next to it, a gram of plutonium is a triviality: plutonium cannot compose a symphony, cannot cure cancer, cannot plan our course to the stars”. -Bernard Nathanson, M.D. and former abortionist-

The Lord hath called me from the womb: from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. Isaiah 49:1
Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us within our mothers? Job 31:15
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:13-14
The above verses are only a sampling of the many Biblical references we find to life inside the mother’s womb.

From them, it is clear that life begins when God creates it, not at some later point in time when it has grown to look like a newborn. God does not judge things according to their stage of development the way humans tend to.

According to the above passages, even the tiniest embryo is the subject of His love and care.

God sees each of our lives in the realm of our total existence, whether we are yet unborn, a young woman in the prime of her life, or an old man on his deathbed.

He is patient with all of us, longing to bring each one of us into His maturity.