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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry), [then First Lieutenant] Otis H. Ashley, III, United States Army, for gallantry in action on 16 June 1966, near Dak To, Republic of Vietnam, while serving as Executive Officer, Detachment A-245, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. On that date, a plane was shot down and rescuers were driven away by fire. Hearing the crew might still be alive, he and a three-man team left by helicopter, taking only ammunition and signal panels. At the site, supported by gunships and United States Air Force fighters, the ship was forced away by fire. Captain Ashley elected to continue despite a heavy rain now falling. At the site again, he and a noncommissioned officer descended a one hundred twenty-foot rope ladder. Drawing fire while suspended, he returned it and continued through the one hundred-foot-high trees. Upon landing, he sent the NCO into the brush for cover but remained exposed to fire while stabilizing the ladder for the other men. With all four men down, he moved to the crash, removed the bodies and destroyed the plane. When the unit was then attacked, he allowed the enemy to walk within five meters of him before firing, killing two and routing the force. The slightest movement drawing fire, he inched to the dead, took their weapons and papers, and crawled the entire perimeter telling his men the situation and laying escape plans. Realizing he could not hold the position or make the upcoming climb without being killed, and already being probed by fire, Captain Ashley walked to the clearing and for twenty minutes displayed signals to planes which put in four airstrikes, forcing the enemy back. Signaling for a pickup, he remained on the ground protecting the helicopter and the climbing men. In this period he came under fire twice. Wounded in the foot in the first exchange, he still pushed the enemy back. Refusing to leave the bodies, weapons, and documents, Captain Ashley crawled to the wreckage, secured all items, dragged them to the clearing and attached them to a lowered cable. Ignoring his wound, which required he use only one foot, he began the exhausting climb. Captain Ashley was forced to return the enemy’s fire twice while en route to the helicopter. Captain Ashley’s stamina and decision under fire allowed his unit an accomplishment of great magnitude with minimum casualties. Captain Ashley’s continued offering of his life to preserve those of other Americans was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.