First Lieutenant Zalipski, John M. USMC Bronze Star Medal The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL to FIRST LIEUTENANT JOHN M. ZALIPSKI 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 Executive Officer of Company M, Third Battalion, Twenty-Seventh Marines, First Marine Division. On the afternoon of 18 May 1968, Company M was moving to assist a friendly unit which was heavily engaged with a large North Vietnamese Army force near the village of Le Bac (2) in Quang Nam Province. Upon being informed that a squad from another unit had become pinned down by intense automatic weapons fire and sustained numerous causalities, First Lieutenant ZALIPSKI unhesitatingly led six other Marines across the fire-swept terrain to the besieged unit's location. Disregarding his own safety, he boldly moved about the hazardous area, shouting words of encouragement to the men and skillfully directing their withdrawal to positions of relative safety. Alertly observing a wounded Marine lying in a position dangerously exposed to the intense fire, First Lieutenant ZALIPSKI quickly directed the delivery of suppressive fire on the hostile emplacements and, fearlessly moving forward evacuated the casualty to a covered position. His bold leadership and sincere concern for the welfare of his men inspired all who served with him and were instrumental in saving the lives of several Marines. First Lieutenant ZALIPSKI's courage, aggressive fighting spim and selfless devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service." First Lieutenant ZALIPSKI is authorized to wear the Combat "V."