The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Floyd A. Sanders (ASN: RA-16700316), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 17 March 1968 while serving as Platoon Sergeant with Troop K, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Sergeant Sanders’ platoon became heavily engaged in close combat with a North Vietnamese Army battalion which was concealed in heavily fortified positions. When his platoon leader lost communication with the platoon, Sergeant Sanders unhesitatingly took charge and positioned himself to personally direct the devastating fire power of the platoon. When the allied troops were reinforced by Army of the Republic of Vietnam forces, they again attacked the well-entrenched communist force. During this assault, an American advisor was seriously wounded 25 feet from a North Vietnamese Army bunker. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Sergeant Sanders left the protection of his armored cavalry assault vehicle and sprinted through the deadly enemy automatic weapons fire to apply emergency first aid and carry the wounded advisor back to relative safety. After supervising his evacuation, Sergeant Sanders returned to his assault vehicle and aggressively participated in the final and successful attack on the Communist force. Staff Sergeant Sanders’ heroic actions and outstanding leadership in close combat against a numerically superior North Vietnamese force were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.