UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS---------------- HEADQUARTERS, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC--------------------- ---------------------FPO, SAN FRANCISCO 96601

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

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 a Wireman  with Head- quarters  and  Service  Company, Third  Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines,  Third Marine  Division.   On  10  September  1967, Corporal  PALM's  battalion  came under intense  enemy rocket, mortar and artillery  fire while conducting  a search and clear  operation southwest of  Con Thien.  Enemy  rounds severed numerous wire   lines  and  disrupted  communications  between  the   Battalion  Command Group  and  two  of  its  companies.  Realizing  the  seriousness  of the situation, Corporal  PALM  unhesitatingly abandoned  his  position of relative  safety  and fearlessly maneuvered across the  fire-swept terrain from one position to another to repair the wire lines.  After skillfully reestablishing communications, he volun- tarily occupied  a fighting  hole in his  unit's defensive perimeter and assisted  his fellow Marines in  repulsing a  fierce North Vietnamese assault.  When the  situa- tion  in  this  area  was  stabilized,  he  moved to a  helicopter landing  zone  and gathered  critically  needed  ammunition which  he  distributed to his  comrades.  Then, steadfastly ignoring the  heavy volume of  fire around him, he returned  to the  landing  zone  where he assisted  in establishing  a  defensive  perimeter  and aided  in  the  evacuation  of  casualties.  Throughout  the  remainder of  the  fire fight, he  worked tirelessly, aiding  the wounded and  ensuring  that his comrades were supplied with ammunition.  His aggressive fighting spirit and calm presence of  mind  in  the face of extreme personal danger  were an inspiration  to all  who observed  him and were  instrumental  in the accomplishment of  his unit's  miss- ion.   Corporal  PALM's  steadfast  courage,   exceptional   professionalism  and selfless  devotion  to  duty  were  in  keeping  with the  highest  traditions  of  the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."

Corporal PALM is authorized to wear the Combat "V".