The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Gary Harris, United States Army, for gallantry in action against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Harris distinguished himself by intrepid actions on 15 August 1969 while serving as a Squad Leader with Company B, 4th Battalion, 3d Infantry. On that date, the company was located near Go Rieng when it came under intense hostile mortar and rocket fire, followed by a fierce ground attack from a determined enemy force. At the time the insurgents launched their assault, Sergeant Harris had his squad set up in a position approximately 200 meters from the unit’s defensive perimeter. Upon spotting the enemy soldiers, he ordered his comrades to rake the area with devastating volume of fire, forcing the hostile force to withdrawal from the area. He then led the element back to the laager position. At this time, Sergeant Harris volunteered to man a strategic sector of the perimeter that had been severely weakened in the initial assault. As the insurgents began a subsequent attack, he skillfully directed effective retaliatory fire and then rushed across a wide expanse of open terrain to assist a Medic in treating casualties. Ignoring the enemy rounds impacting throughout the area, Sergeant Harris swiftly moved about the battle zone and assisted in placing his fallen comrades aboard MEDEVAC helicopters as they arrived at the site. His courageous and timely actions were highly instrumental in saving the lives of his fellow soldiers and in thwarting the enemy attack. Sergeant Harris’ personal heroism, professional competence, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect great credit upon himself, the American Division, and the United States Army.