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 Lieutenant Colonel (Armor) Martin Damon Howell (ASN: 0-59181), United States Army, for gallantry in action against an armed hostile force on 2 December 1966 while serving as Commanding Officer of the 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date elements of the 1st Squadron were ambushed by an estimated battalion of Viet Cong. Immediately upon being notified of the ambush, Colonel Howell ordered Troop B to the ambush site. Under his aggressive leadership the relief force was moving within seven minutes of the initial notification. After dispatching Troop B, Colonel Howell boarded his command and control helicopter and proceeded to the ambush area. As the aircraft neared the fierce battle area it received an intense barrage of antiaircraft machine gun fire from the insurgent force. Completely disregarding the danger to himself Colonel Howell courageously ordered the pilot to make low passes over the area in order for him to locate and report enemy positions. Effectively using his tanks and armored cavalry assault vehicles to confuse and disperse the Viet Cong he skillfully directed them in a broad sweeping movement while simultaneously calling in tactical air strikes directing the firing passes of helicopters and expertly sealing off all routs of withdrawal with heavy artillery concentrations. Courageously landing amidst intense enemy fire Colonel Howell mounted an armored cavalry assault vehicle and aggressively led armored assaults on the Viet Cong positions until the enemy withdrew. During a subsequent search of the battle area ninety nine enemy bodies, four wounded Viet Cong and many automatic weapons were recovered. This overwhelming victory is directly attributed to Colonel Howell’s inspirational leadership, sound tactical decisions, unrelenting aggressiveness and outstanding display of courage. Colonel Howell’s actions throughout this encounter with a fanatical enemy were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.