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 Chief Warrant Officer Manford Lloyd Kleiv, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations in Vietnam on 9 October 1964. Chief Warrant Officer Kleiv was performing his duties as an Instructor Pilot of an Army UH-1B helicopter in connection with a support mission in the Republic of Vietnam when his aircraft was shot down by a hostile force. Immediately after the initial impact of the aircraft, he evacuated the crew and established defensive positions around the downed helicopter while exposing himself to the advancing enemy troops. Despite the hail of heavy small arms fire, he returned to the aircraft, made an emergency distress call, and then covered the crew members as they maneuvered to defilade positions. Assured that the crew members were well covered, he again returned to the aircraft, repeated the distress call, and while attempting to rejoin the crew, was morally wounded. His fortitude, courageous actions, and deep concern for his crew members enabled them to be evacuated from the area by helicopter. Chief Warrant Officer Kleiv’s conspicuous gallantry is in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army.