CITATION
SERGEANT Manuel F. Martinez Jr.
Operation Bismark,Vietnam  
The Secretary of the Army takes pride in awarding the Silver Star and
the Purple Heart to SERGEANT Manuel F. Martinez, United States Army.

CITATION: For extraordinary heroism while serving as PFC Manuel F. Martinez, Jr. United States Army was recognized for solely drawing fire upon himself away from his platoon on 3 December 1966 during a Viet Cong ambush. Company C entered an occupied Viet Cong base camp and machine gun fire ensued down upon Company C. Immediately the point man, Private First Class Leland Morgan was killed and Martinez, who was behind the point, received his first of three major wounds, one of which caused the loss of sight in his left eye. The entire company took cover while PFC. Martinez fired his grenade launcher, which was ineffective. Martinez continued to divert attention away from his platoon by deploying his sidearm 45 caliber pistol and firing at the Viet Cong machine gunner. This act drew attention away from the platoon who was then able to begin maneuvering through the dense jungle and around to the Viet Cong machine gunner's position. SP4 Robert M. McKee successfully took out the enemy machine gun nest and was immediately recommended for the Silver Star on 3 December 1966. However, Sergeant Martinez did not receive his Silver Star until July 26, 1997. Sergeant Martinez distinguished himself by conspicuously exhibiting gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against the enemy of the United States. Due to his heroic actions, and his immediate willingness to answer the call of duty, and sacrifice his life for the lives of his platoon, Operation Bismark was successfully completed.