The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Franklin Victory Delara (ASN: 0-5427347), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force on 23 May 1968 in the Republic of Vietnam. Second Lieutenant Delara distinguished himself by intrepid actions while serving as a Forward Observer with Company B, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 198th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. On that date, his company was on a combat sweep operation west of Tam Ky when they suddenly came under intense fire from an enemy force of undetermined size. Realizing that the enemy positions had to be pin-pointed for the supporting artillery fire, Lieutenant Delara left his covered position, and with complete disregard for his personal safety, sought high ground from which he could adjust the artillery fire. After he reached a good position, he courageously continued to expose himself to the intense hostile fire while expertly directing the artillery until he fell mortally wounded. Through his courageous act, the accurate artillery fire destroyed the hostile mortar positions and his company was able to repel the enemy, forcing them to retreat. Second Lieutenant Delara’s unquestionable valor while in close combat with a numerically superior enemy force was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflected great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.