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 Captain (Infantry) Lewis Higinbotham (ASN: 0-95972), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a Platoon Leader with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, during a search and destroy mission near Dak To, Republic of Vietnam, on 8 June 1966. While maneuvering towards the objective, Captain Higinbotham’s platoon received intense hostile fire from a reinforced Viet Cong company. The initial burst of fire killed or wounded several friendly soldiers and pinned down the remainder of the platoon. Although his command post was continually receiving hostile fire, Captain Higinbotham repeatedly exposed himself while directing his unit. Captain Higinbotham, with complete disregard for his safety, dashed into open areas to call in artillery fire on the attacking Viet Cong force. Although his position was extremely vulnerable to the hostile fire, he fearlessly remained at his vantage point to observe and call in the incoming artillery rounds within 20 meters of his position. Despite the fact that he was wounded by exploding hand grenades, Captain Higinbotham refused to leave his position, encouraged his men, and directed suppressive artillery fire upon the belligerent insurgents. Through his courage and outstanding leadership throughout the four-hour battle he contributed immeasurably to the decisive victory over the determined Viet Cong force. Captain Higinbotham’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against a numerically superior hostile force was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major (Infantry) Lewis Higinbotham (ASN: 0-95972), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Major Higinbotham distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions during the period 15 March 1969 to 26 March 1969, while serving as Operations Officer, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, on a reconnaissance in force mission in Dinh Tuong Province. With a radio-telephone operator, Major Higinbotham flew to the site of a heavy battle in which the company commander had been killed, courageously landed in the midst of a battle and low crawled into the company perimeter and assumed control of artillery fires from a wounded Forward Observer, using his radio and RTO to call for fires and adjust fires. He directed one of the platoon aidmen to treat the Forward Observer’s wounds and then low crawled around the perimeter with his RTOs, informing battalion headquarters of the tactical situation. He located the senior surviving Non-Commissioned Officer in each platoon, placing them in command of that platoon, and reorganized the defense by moving some riflemen from one platoon sector to another under more heavy attack. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Higinbotham, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.