To all Nam Vets of the 7th Marines, this is to announce that PFC Clyde Joseph Terrian, B Company, 1/7, 65-66, Silver Star winner, has passed away a day earlier.
From my positions on the Kilo 3/7 lines around Chu Lai, it was often during 65-66 that I would go to the top of the hill during the night hours, and I would look out to the South China Sea, and one could not help but to notice the flares and the tracers in the night's sky coming from the 1/7 lines. Those guys took a lot of hell down there. Jo T was one of those guys.
Hand Salute Joe T. You will be missed.
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Clyde Joseph Terrian (MCSN: 2146689), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company B, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, FMF, on 6 March 1966, in the Republic of Vietnam. While occupying positions in protection of a downed helicopter, deep in insurgent communist (Viet Cong) territory, Private First Class Terrian, with complete disregard for his own safety, ran to the aid of a fellow Marine who had been wounded and cut off from the rest of his patrol by a devastating volume of enemy automatic weapons fire. Placing himself between the wounded Marine and the Viet Cong and exposing himself to the murderous automatic fire, he delivered protective fire upon the enemy, enabling another Marine to attempt to evacuate the wounded man. Although painfully wounded himself, he continued to hold off the Viet Cong, until the Marine attempting to rescue the wounded man also became a casualty. Private First Class Terrian then returned to the aid of both casualties, continuing to fire and assisting in bringing both Marines to the safety of the Company perimeter. His bravery under fire undoubtedly saved the life of one Marine and was instrumental in saving another. By his initiative, courage and selfless dedication to duty throughout, Private First Class Terrian upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
