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 First Lieutenant (Air Defense Artillery) Phillip Gay Harris, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. First lieutenant Harris distinguished himself while serving with the 5th Battalion (Automatic Weapons) (Self Propelled), 2d Artillery Regiment, II Field Force, at Tay Ninh base camp on 23 July 1971. At approximately 0200 hours, enemy forces initiated a mortar and rocket barrage on the camp, followed by a 22 man sapper attack . The first incoming rounds struck Lieutenant Harris’ barracks and buried him under a pile of debris. He was quickly extracted by two members of his platoon amid intense small arms fire and satchel charges being thrown in the building. Ignoring his injuries, he positioned his men in fighting positions within the remains of the building debris and, armed only with a .45 caliber pistol, fought off the sappers for the next four hours. As the fighting moved to other areas, he organized a reaction force and conducted a search for any remaining sappers and unexploded satchel charges, rocket propelled grenades and mortar rounds. Only after security had been restored to the camp did he accept medical treatment. First Lieutenant Harris’ personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.