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 Captain (Armor) Charles Lew Schmidt (ASN: 0-98928), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving a conflict with an armed hostile force on 16 March 1968 while serving as the Commanding Officer of Troop I, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date Captain Schmidt’s troop was involved in a mission to relieve an endangered allied force. Devastatingly accurate and intense enemy fire had pinned down and cut off Company A of the 51st ARVN Ranger Battalion. Captain Schmidt, realizing that the rangers were in imminent danger, led his troop in an assault upon the Viet Cong forces. Upon reaching the vicinity of the battered ranger company, he dismounted his vehicle and dashed through a hail of automatic weapons fire to the allied troops. Moving from position to position, Captain Schmidt instructed them to withdraw to the relative safety of his armored vehicles. With the successful withdraw of the allied soldiers complete he maneuvered his assault vehicle into the lead position of his formation and again fully exposing himself to the hostile fire, led his troop in an all-out assault upon the enemy fortifications, overrunning them. Captain Schmidt’s courage, dedication to duty and deep concern for the lives of his comrades were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.