The President of the United States, takes pleasure in presenting the
PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to the:
FIFTH MARINE REGIMENT [REINFORCED],
FIRST MARINE DIVISION [REINFORCED]
for service as set forth in the following:
CITATION:
For extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of duty in action against the North Vietnamese forces
during Operations UNION and UNION II in the Que Son area, Republic of Vietnam, from 25 April to 5 June 1967.
Throughout this period, the 5th Marines [Reinforced] was assigned the mission of destroying the enemy forces, their supplies
and equipment. With the initiation of a heavy engagement by a Marine rifle company in the vicinity of La Nga [2], the
5th Marines deployed to exploit the contact. Despiteextremely short notice, the reinforced Regiment moved with alacrity to
meet the enemy's challenge. This rapid reaction resulted in theestablishement of contact with a well-organized North
Vietnamese Army force; once engaged, the 5th Marines tenaciously pursued the enemy over an extensive pattern of rice
paddies, hedgerows and fortified hamlets. Unable to disengage while being subjected to relentless pressure, the 21st
North Vietnamese Regiment finally made its stand at the hamlet of Phuoc Duc [4]. For four days commencing 12 May,
the 5th Marines resolutely attacked the fortified enemy positions. Valiantly withstanding heavy enemy mortar barrages
and repelling fierce enemy counterattacks the Marines shattered the entrenched enemy. Operation UNION II was launched
on 26 May with a helicopter-borne assault to destroy the withdrawing remnants of the 21st North Vietnamese Regiment.
Attacking aggressively, the 5th Marines uncovered the 3d Vietnamese Regiment dug in near Vinh Huy and were met by
a withering barrage of mortar, machine-gun and recoilless rifle fire. Resolute in their determination, the Marines continued
to maintain pressure and, at nightfall, launched a bold night attack with ruptured the enemy's defenses and drove the tattered
vestiges of the North Vietnamese unit fromt the field. UNION and UNION II inflicted over three thousand enemy casualties
and eliminated the 2d North Vietnamese Army Division as a combat force to be reckoned with for many months. By their
aggressive fighting spirit, superb tactical skill, steadfastness under fire, consummate professionalism and countless
acts of individual heroism, the officers and men of the 5th Marine Regiment [Reinforces] upheld the highest traditions of the
Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Signed/LYNDON B. JOHNSON