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 First Lieutenant (Armor) Kent H. Hillhouse (ASN: 0-5714479), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 5 May 1968, while serving as a Platoon Leader with Company H, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, during the early morning hours, a large well-armed hostile force attacked the Army of the Republic of Vietnam compound located in the village of Cam My. Lieutenant Hillhouse’s platoon, an element of the ready reaction force, was sent to the aid of the village and was moving to cut off possible insurgent escape routes when it was fired upon by insurgent elements using small arms and anti-tank rockets. During the initial enemy volley, Lieutenant Hillhouse’s tank sustained two direct hits from anti-tank rockets, wounding each crewmember including himself and disabling the tank’s weapons. Lieutenant Hillhouse, with complete disregard for his personal safety, dismounted from his armored carrier armed with only his pistol and hand grenades and charged the closest enemy entrenchment, killing five of the fanatical insurgents. First Lieutenant Hillhouse’s great personal bravery was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.