The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL to

 

CAPTAIN JERRELL THOMAS FRICKER

 

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 the Commanding Officer of Company E, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Divison. On the afternoon of 8 December 1968, while participating in Operation Taylor Common near An Hoa in Quang Nam Province, an enemy explosive device was detonated and seriously wounded several men, including Captain Fricker. Resolutely refusing medical evacuation in the absence of his executive officer, Captain Fricker received emergency first aid for his painful injuries and continued maneuvering his company towards the unit objective. When his unit received intense sniper fire from a tree line, he rapidly deployed his men and, disregarding his wounds, fearlessly led an assault on the hostile position, killing three North Vietnamese soldiers and capturing two AK 47 rifles and three enemy rockets. Only after the objective was secured and his executive officer had arrived, did Captain Fricker allow himself to be medically evacuated. Captain Fricker's courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."

"Captain Fricker is authorized to wear the Combat 'V'."

                                         FOR THE PRESIDENT, 

                                               H. W. BUSE, JR.

LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS

COMMANDING GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC