Silver StarThe President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Hospitalman Roger Lee Whinery (NSN: B-605148), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Corpsman with Company L, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, during operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam, on 1 June 1967. While Hospitalman Whinery's company was conducting a search and clear operation, it came under intense enemy small-arms and automatic-weapons fire from a North Vietnamese Army bunker complex, which pinned down the lead platoon and inflicted heavy casualties. During the ensuing engagement, the enemy constantly kept the Marine wounded covered by accurate sniper fire in order to thwart any attempt to evacuate them. Although this was his first engagement, Hospitalman Whinery unhesitatingly dashed through the devastating fire and began to treat the wounded and to evacuate them to safety. On his third trip into the exposed area, while administering first aid to a critically wounded Marine, he fell, mortally wounded by enemy sniper fire. By his daring actions, bold courage, and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of great danger, Hospitalman Whinery upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.Action Date: 1-Jun-67

Whinery, Roger Lee, HN