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 Private First Class Darwin R. Yopek, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 11 May 1969 while serving as an assault vehicle drive with Troop F, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date his platoon ambushed an enemy force and inflicted heavy casualties. As the friendly armored vehicles were making a sweep of the contact area they came under intense small arms, automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fire from a hostile force concealed in a nearby rubber plantation. During the ensuing fire fight Private Yopek’s assault vehicle received a direct rocket propelled grenade hit wounding the entire crew and setting the vehicle on fire. Disregarding his wounds and the enemy fusillade, Private Yopek climbed out of the driver’s hatch manned a machine gun and began placing suppressive fire on the hostile positions. This accurate fire enabled the platoon leader to move from his damaged vehicle to another so that he could continue to direct the attack. Realizing that the ammunition on board his burning vehicle might soon overheat and explode, Private Yopek stopped firing and carried a wounded crew member to safety. Private Yopek continued to ignore his own wounds and stayed with his unit until its mission had been completed. Private First Class Yopek’s outstanding courage, devotion to duty and concern for the welfare of his fellow soldiers were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.