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 First Lieutenant (Armor) William R. Suhre (ASN: 0-5244734), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. First Lieutenant Suhre distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on the afternoon of 1 April 1968, while serving as a Platoon Leader with Troop I, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, on a reconnaissance in force mission near Ap Bao Trai, Vietnam. During an assault on fortified positions occupied by an estimate battalion of Viet Cong, an armored cavalry assault vehicle received a direct hit by an enemy rocket. Lieutenant Suhre unhesitatingly maneuvered his vehicle into a position from which he could provide covering fire for the disabled track. While in this exposed position, Lieutenant Suhre observed a group of soldiers pinned down by intense hostile fire. L Reacting instantly, Lieutenant Suhre directed his vehicle to within 30 meters of the bunker complex, dismounted and dashed through a heavy volume of enemy fire to a position only five feet from the fortifications. Completely disregarding his personal safety, Lieutenant Suhre destroyed two bunkers in rapid succession with hand grenades, killing four insurgents and enabling the friendly forces to overrun the enemy’s perimeter and defeat the Viet Cong force. L First Lieutenant Suhre’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against a numerically superior Viet Cong force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.