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 Captain (Field Artillery) Norman E. Qualtrough, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations in Vietnam, on 1 and 2 July 1964. As an Advisor, Captain Qualtrough was accompanying a battalion of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam on a search and clear operation when the battalion encountered a strong hostile force approximately an hour before midnight. As the entire battalion, including a command group, came under an intense enemy barrage of small arms and mortar fire, and sustained heavy casualties, he called for a medical evacuation helicopter. As the helicopter approached the area and the enemy opened fire upon it from an undisclosed position, it was struck and then crashed from an altitude of approximately twenty feet. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Captain Qualtrough rushed to the downed aircraft, climbed up on the exposed side, broke a window to free the crew, and yelled to the co-pilot to shut off the engine to avert an explosion. Ignoring the gunfire and the probability of an explosion, he freed the co-pilot and two other crewmembers who then helped him to evacuate the unconscious pilot. His fortitude, determination, and courageous conduct while a target of hostile gunfire enabled the crew members to reach a place of safety behind a dike in a rice paddy. Captain Qualtrough’s conspicuous gallantry is in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the military services.