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 pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Chief Warrant Officer (CW-2) William Raymond Hartwell (ASN: W-3153397/RA-16823293), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force while serving with the 128th Assault Helicopter Company, 1st Aviation Brigade, in the Republic of Vietnam on 10 January 1968. Chief Warrant Officer Hartwell distinguished himself by gallantry actions while serving as fire team leader of a flight of armed UH-1B helicopters of the 128th Assault Helicopter Company. A unit of the 25th Infantry Division made heavy contact with an enemy force on a combat assault and suffered heavy casualties. A medical evacuation helicopter was summoned to extract the wounded personnel. Chief Warrant Officer Hartwell bravely exposed his aircraft to the enemy fire to draw the intense fire away from the medical evacuation helicopter. His valorous firing passes kept the hostile fire directed at his fire team and away from the unarmed rescue helicopter. As the rescue aircraft safely departed the area, Chief Warrant Officer Two Hartwell was fatally wounded while making a final firing pass on the source of the withering automatic weapons fire. His helicopter plunged into the jungle below, thoroughly riddled by the hostile fire. His unwavering courage in the face of enemy fire resulted in the rescue of many seriously wounded soldiers. His unimpeachable valor in combat against heavily armed hostile forces is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.