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 Sergeant Jonathan Remur Bortle (ASN: 52968179), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Company A, 2d Battalion, 2d Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam on 5 September 1969. On this date, Sergeant Bortle was serving as a mortarman with his mechanized unit at Fire Support Base THUNDER III when the friendly encampment was suddenly subjected to an intense mortar barrage followed by a massive human assault. Acting with tactical deliberation, Sergeant Bortle immediately maneuvered from track to track searching for casualties and organizing his men’s defensive positions. Observing a nearby armored personnel carrier receive an impacting rocket-propelled grenade round which ignited the track’s fuel tank, Sergeant Bortle unhesitatingly proceeded to the flaming vehicle. Realizing the futility of extinguishing the inferno, Sergeant Bortle rapidly removed all the personnel in the range of the highly explosive munitions stored aboard the track. Seconds later the armored personnel carrier was shattered by a violent explosion which simultaneously created a serious gap in the perimeter defense. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Sergeant Bortle led his men into the strategic positions and halted an insurgent attempt to penetrate the broken defense line. During the ensuing firefight, Sergeant Bortle was mortally wounded by an exploding aggressor hand grenade. His courageous initiative and selfless concern for the welfare of his comrades distinguished Sergeant Bortle as a soldier of the highest caliber. Sergeant Bortle’s unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces and was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.