The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Eugene Naylor (ASN: US-51942771), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. On 22 October 1967 Private First Class Naylor distinguished himself while serving as a Rifleman in Company B, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, operating near Tu Cae. Private First Class Naylor’s platoon was crossing an open rice paddy when it began receiving intense automatic weapons fire and was pinned down. The point man was wounded in the first volley and fell far in front of the rest of the platoon. Seeing the plight of his wounded comrade, Private First Class Naylor left his covered position and began crawling toward him. He had reached the wounded man and was pulling him back across the paddy when he too was hit by enemy fire. Then the enemy launched an assault with grenades. Turning back attempts to extricate him from his exposed position, he took the enemy under fire and began inflicting an increasing number of casualties on their advancing forces. His steady and accurate fire thwarted the enemy attack and enabled his platoon to withdraw to better positions. Private First Class Naylor was mortally wounded as enemy soldiers overran his position. His selfless and unflinching gallantry are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.