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 (Field Artillery) Paul D. Wharton, United States Army, for gallantry in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 4 June 1969. Lieutenant Wharton distinguished himself while serving as the Artillery Forward Observer in Company D, 1st Battalion (Airmobile), 501st Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), during a search and clear operation near Tam Ky, in Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam. Lieutenant Wharton left his covered position to go to the aid of a rifle squad which was sustaining heavy casualties from intense automatic weapons and from mortar fire. Openly and willingly subjecting himself to the enemy fire, Lieutenant Wharton ran across an open area swept by machine gun fire to reach the beleaguered squad. Upon reaching the squad, he rallied the men, directed them to return fire, treated the wounded and then led the squad back to the company perimeter. Having accomplished this, he again exposed himself to adjust artillery fire on the enemy, thus allowing the wounded to be evacuated. Lieutenant Wharton’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.