The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Gary Don Pagan (ASN: US-54387878), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 3d Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in action on 20 November 1968. Sergeant Pagan distinguished himself while participating in military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Pagan was serving as a squad leader on a reconnaissance in force mission near the city of Phan Thiet in Binh Thuan Province. As his platoon prepared to move early that morning, they were heavily engaged by an intense volume of automatic weapons fire from ten Viet Cong in the high ground to their rear. Racing under an intense volume of fire, Sergeant Pagan and one other man sought cover and an advantageous fighting position behind a small pile of rocks. When more enemy fire began to hit their position from behind and his comrade was seriously wounded, Sergeant Pagan courageously got up from behind his cover and placed an intense volume of return fire on the enemy causing them to flee. In the ensuing intense fighting, as he continued to provide cover for his wounded comrade by gallantly exposing himself, Sergeant Pagan was mortally wounded. Through his tremendous personal valor and at the sacrifice of his own life, Sergeant Pagan averted certain death for his fellow paratroopers and greatly inspired all of his men in repelling the violent enemy onslaught. The outstanding devotion to duty and tremendous courage displayed by Sergeant Pagan, in the face of extreme personal danger that cost him his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.