The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Roland Michael Bowen (ASN: US-53451943), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Company A, 716th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Group, 18th Military Police Brigade in the Republic of Vietnam. Private First Class Bowen distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 January 1968 while serving as assistant machine gunner of a military police alert team on a reaction mission during the battle for Saigon. While checking and securing a billets complex in the Cholen-Tan Son Nhut sector, his patrol received an urgent request to reinforce a sister element that was heavily engaged in a firefight with the Viet Cong near the Phu Tho race track. An enemy force savagely attacked his unit as it moved toward the embattled troops, and his vehicle was hit and disabled by intense automatic weapons fire. Heedless of his safety, Private Bowen remained on the jeep despite a hail of enemy fire and removed the machine gun. Braving a withering barrage, he advanced twenty-five meters with his team leader and set up the gun in an exposed position to draw the enemy fire away from his comrades. His furious fighting suppressed the Viet Cong fire and allowed the other patrol members to reach cover. He was mortally wounded while unhesitantly and unselfishly placing the safety of his fellow soldiers above his own in the heat of battle. Private First Class Bowen’s gallantry in action, at the cost of his life, was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.