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 First Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Staff Sergeant] Jack L. Kilcrease, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, on 1 November 1965. Lieutenant Kilcrease distinguished himself while serving as Squad Leader of the first squad of the Aero Rifle Platoon, Troop B, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in the Ia Drang Valley, Vietnam. At 0800 hours Lieutenant Kilcrease’s squad along with the rest of the platoon was given the mission of reconnoitering a suspected enemy position. With only 18 men in the entire platoon they were landed approximately 1,100 meters from the suspected area, and, with Lieutenant Kilcrease’s squad in the lead, they surprised a large enemy force guarding a hospital and collecting point. Demonstrating extraordinary valor and exposing himself frequently to enemy fire, Lieutenant Kilcrease and his small force killed 31 NVA soldiers and captured 26, all without receiving a single casualty. In addition, the platoon captured 5 enemy officers and over one million dollars worth of medical supplies. Later in the day, at about 1530 hours, over 100 NVA soldiers mounted a counterattack on Lieutenant Kilcrease’s position. As most of the platoon was engaged in evacuating the captured prisoners and supplies, Lieutenant Kilcrease met the attack with his squad of 5 men and 6 others from the platoon and stopped it successfully, although 3 of the 11 were killed. During this violent counterattack Lieutenant Kilcrease and 3 other men held their position against overwhelming odds so that the others could safely withdraw. At that time one of the men with Lieutenant Kilcrease was hit by enemy fire and with complete disregard for his own safety, Lieutenant Kilcrease attempted to rescue this man. Moving directly into the enemy attack he shot and killed 6 NVA and reached the side of the wounded American. At that moment the NVA rushed his position, critically wounding Lieutenant Kilcrease and killing the wounded American. Although he was in critical condition and losing blood badly, he stopped the NVA assault by killing 4 of them at very close range and though under intense fire crawled back to the defensive perimeter and was later evacuated. Lieutenant Kilcrease’s leadership and unflinching devotion to duty were exemplary, and his sustained valor in combat reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.