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 (Field Artillery) Michael R. Heady (ASN: 0-5427052), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Battery B, 1st Battalion, 5th Artillery Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action on 1 November 1968 in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Lieutenant Heady was serving as the Executive Officer of his battery at Fire Support Base RITA. During the morning, the friendly position was subjected to intense rocket, mortar and recoilless rifle fire, and a ground assault by a North Vietnamese Regiment. Lieutenant Heady immediately moved from one howitzer emplacement to another, rallying his men and directing their counterfire on the insurgents. The intensity of the enemy attack increased and the advancing hostile forces started to breach one side of the perimeter. Lieutenant Heady instructed three howitzer sections to commence direct fire on the enemy, and with complete disregard for his personal safety, he braved the hail of incoming rounds to supervise the men’s fire personally. His devastating fire at point blank range halted the insurgents’ advance just short of his position. As soon as the assailants were driven from inside the perimeter, Lieutenant Heady moved about through the relentless mortar fire and directed the evacuation and treatment of the casualties. His extraordinary courage and professional demeanor during the massive enemy attacks significantly contributed to the successful defense of the besieged American position. First Lieutenant Heady’s unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.