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 Harvie Lee Stringer (AFSN: AF-14616086/FR-3080816), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Rescue Crew Commander of an HH-3E helicopter of the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, in Southeast Asia on 9 June 1968. On that date, Major Stringer escorted a rescue helicopter, unable to climb with one engine shot out, through extremely hostile and heavily defended valleys en route to Khe Sanh combat base. Despite intense, accurately directed hostile fire, which severely damaged two rescue helicopters and shot down a third, Major Stringer returned to the rescue site and attempted to recover an injured downed pilot. With undaunted determination, indomitable courage, and professional skill, Major Stringer established a hover over the downed airman before being forced to withdraw by a barrage of hostile ground fire. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Stringer has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.