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 Chief Warrant Officer (W-2) Paul N. Young, Jr. (ASN: W-3155757), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with the 195th Assault Helicopter Company, 1st Aviation Brigade, in the Republic of Vietnam on 7 April 1968. Chief Warrant Officer Young distinguished himself while serving as an aircraft commander on a combat operation in support of a Special Forces platoon in heavy contact with a numerically superior force. When his fire team leader was forced to make an emergency landing in an insecure area, Chief Warrant Officer Young attacked the enemy positions with his gunship, expending all of his ammunition. While departing the hostile area after making a successful rescue attempt, he was confronted with a devastating hail of automatic weapons fire. After he had nursed his aircraft back to the Song Be Airfield, he immediately raced to a standby gunship and returned to the site of the imperiled Special Forces team. Arriving on station, Chief Warrant Officer Young began initiating devastating attacks upon the enemy positions, thus enabling the friendly troops to be extracted. Through his courage and personal bravery, he was truly instrumental in the saving of several friendly soldiers, and the saving of a valuable aircraft. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.