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 Specialist Fourth Class Daniel J. Bock, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 9 August 1969 while serving as a Rifleman with the Aero Rifle Platoon of the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, he volunteered to participate in a mission to capture several enemy soldiers spotted in an area west of An Loc. After being inserted by a light observation helicopter, Specialist Bock helped secure the landing zone so that another helicopter could bring in more troops. While moving through dense jungle, the friendly force came upon three enemy soldiers. While he provided suppressive fire, his comrades captured the hostile troops. Information gathered from the three soldiers included the size of the hostile force operating in the area and the location of an enemy weapons cache. While moving toward the area of the cache, the search element spotted two hostile troops attempted to escape across a river. Disregarding his own safety, Specialist Bock dashed into the river and helped capture them. Upon learning that aerial observers had spotted a large enemy force approaching, the friendly element quickly returned to the landing zone with Specialist Bock guarding the prisoners. Specialist Bock’s courage, resourcefulness 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.