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

For service as set forth in the following

               CITATION:

               "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while  serving as a Platoon   Sergeant  with  Company  I,  Third  Battalion,  Twenty-Sixth  Marines, First  Marine  Division in  connection with  operations against  the enemy in  the Republic of Vietnam from 30 November to 8 December 1968.  On 30 November, while  participating  in  Operation  Meade  River,  Company  I  was  assigned  to secure a crashed CH-46 helicopter which was in imminent danger of being seized by the enemy.   Under cover of darkness, Corporal Torres assisted in moving his platoon  through  1,500 meters  of open  rice  paddies to the  wreckage  where he expeditiously established  a defensive perimeter.  During ensuing  security activi- ties, he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy small  arms and automatic weapons fire  to locate hostile  positions and direct  the fire of  his men.  On  4  December when the lead squad became  pinned down by intense fire  and sustained  several casualties,  Corporal  Torres  unhesitatingly led  the rear  elements  forward  and directed  suppressive  fire  against  the  enemy.  Ignoring  the  hostile rounds im- pacting near him,  he fired two rockets into an enemy bunker,  killing two North Vietnamese  soldiers and enabled  his companions to evacuate  the wounded and withdraw to  the company perimeter.  When his entire company was temporarily pinned  down by continuous enemy  machine gun fire on 8 December,  Corporal Torres  disregarded  his  own  safety  as  he  maneuvered  from  one  position  to another, encouraging  his men and directing their actions.   His resolute determi- nation  and bold fighting  spirit inspired  all who observed  him and  contributed significantly  to  the  accomplishment  of  his  unit's  mission.   By   his  courage, superb leadership and unwavering devotion to duty, Corporal Torres upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."