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 Specialist Fourth Class Lewis L. Sowder (ASN: US-51946643), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 25 February 1969 while serving with the Aero Rifle Platoon of the Air Cavalry Troop of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while he was serving as point man for this platoon on a search operation through a well-fortified enemy base camp, the platoon suddenly received a hail of automatic weapons fire from a well-concealed enemy bunker. Reacting instantly, Specialist Sowder, firing his rifle from a fully exposed position killed two of the enemy soldiers instantly and pinned the others down. He then crawled to the bunker and threw a hand grenade inside, killing three more of the enemy. After searching the bunker, he began leading his platoon among the other enemy fortifications. Again the platoon received a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire from an enemy bunker. Specialist Sowder, again firing from an exposed position killed two more of the enemy soldiers. He then assaulted the bunker and killed the two remaining enemy soldiers with a hand grenade. Specialist Four Sowder’s exceptional courage, combat proficiency, and complete disregard for his personal safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.