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 Platoon Sergeant Donald M. Biggin, Jr., United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 9 June 1969 while serving as a Platoon Leader with Troop L, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date Troop L was conducting a reconnaissance mission near An Loc when it was suddenly engaged by an unknown-sized North Vietnamese Army force. In the initial moments of the contact, intense automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire destroyed most communications and caused many casualties. Seeing that one of the damaged vehicles was the troop commander’s, Sergeant Biggin immediately organized his platoon to direct a heavy volume of return fire into the well-concealed enemy positions. During the fierce firefight, he noticed an anti-tank grenade team advancing towards the troop commander. Reacting instantly, he maneuvered his vehicle to provide suppressive fire. When he was near to the enemy he assaulted them, eliminating that threat. Then, knowing that the troop commander’s radio had been destroyed, he switched frequencies on his radio to direct the accurate airstrikes which were extremely successful on account of his direction. Platoon Sergeant Biggin’s gallant actions and unwavering 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.




