(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Len Martin Hanawald, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Lieutenant Colonel Hanawald distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as Commanding Officer of the 2d Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in action against the enemy on 3 September 1969. On that date, Lieutenant Colonel Hanawald was flying in a Light Observation Helicopter to scout an area along the base of the mountains to the west of Camp evens. The helicopter was only 20 to 30 feet off the ground, and Lieutenant Colonel Hanawald located an enemy soldier. Although it would have been an easy shot, he determined to try and take the enemy as a prisoner of war in hopes of gaining valuable intelligence. The enemy soldier raised his hand as if to surrender, and the helicopter began lowering for a pickup. Lieutenant Colonel Hanawald moved temporarily to find the microphone button to give landing instructions to the pilot, and in that brief moment the NVA soldier sprayed 30 rounds from his AK-47 rifle, one round piercing the helicopter and mortally wounding Lieutenant Colonel Hanawald. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Hanawald, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Major (Infantry) Len Martin Hanawald, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Major Hanawald distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving with the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, in action against the enemy in 1965. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Hanawald, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.