for service as set forth in the following

           CITATION:

                   For  extraordinary  heroism while serving as a  Platoon Commander with Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines,  Third Marine Division (Reinforced)  in  the  Republic  of  Vietnam  on  20  January  1968.    Lieutenant Brindley's  unit  was maneuvering  toward Hill 881 near Khe Sanh when the lead elements  suddenly came under  intense small arms  and automatic  weapons fire and sustained several casualties.  Reacting instantly,  he directed a heavy volume of  fire against  the enemy and moved  his second  squad to the point of heaviest contact.   Despite  the  tall  elephant  grass  which restricted movement, he effec- tively  deployed   and  controlled  his  men,   while  suppressing  the  hostile  fire sufficiently to enable  the casualties to be taken from the area.   Quickly  shifting his  unit to the  base of the hill,  under covering fire,  Lieutenant Brindley led an aggressive  assault  against  the  opposing  force  which  was  entrenched  in  well fortified  positions  supported by .50 caliber machine gun emplacements.  Ignor- ing  the  fire  impacting  around  him,  he continuously  moved  among  his men, encouraging them, controlling the squads and directing his unit's return fire.  As the  Marines  reached  the  crest  of the hill and  overran  the  North  Vietnamese positions, they again  came under intense fire  and suffered additional casualties. In  an attempt to pinpoint  the source of enemy fire,  Lieutenant Brindley,  while freely moving throughout the fire-swept area,  was struck by hostile  fire and fell mortally wounded.   By his inspiring leadership and  unyielding devotion to duty in  the  face  of  overwhelming  odds,  he  upheld  the  highest  traditions  of  the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.  He gallantly gave his life for his country.