On Friday, two Vietnam War-era Marine Corps veterans will be awarded a Silver Star and a Bronze Star during a ceremony at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus was scheduled to attend the ceremony, but cancelled due to the tragedy at the Washington Navy Yard.
According to a Marine Corps new release, Marine Corps Brig. Gen. James W. Bierman will present the Silver Star Medal to Joe B. Cordileone, and the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Robert. T. Moffatt.
The Marine vets earned their awards for heroic actions during the first Battle of Khe Sanh on April 30, 1967.
According to San Diego Source, Cordileone and Moffatt are being recognized for their heroism 40 years after their service because of the diligent work of John Admire, their former platoon commander:
Admire... met up with men from his old unit at a reunion. As he listened to their reports, he couldn’t understand why so few had been recommended for awards.
It was then he learned that those in a position to recommend awards had been killed. Admire began interviewing the survivors.
Because he had been their platoon commander, Admire was permitted to recommend the Marines for awards. He presented the Marine Corps with affidavits from the survivors describing which of their fellow Marines deserved recognition.
San Diego television station 10News recently did a profile on Cordileone, who currently works as a chief deputy in the San Diego city attorney's office. You'll find that video posted up top.
