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 pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Daniel E. Benham (ASN: RA-12810240), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 27 November 1968 while serving as lead scout with Troop C, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Company C and Company B, 2d Battalion (Airmobile), 12th Cavalry were assigned to search through the village of Ap Loc. After searching this area, intelligence reports were received which stated that a suspected company of enemy soldiers were located at Loc Hoa, a larger village northeast of Ap Loc Thanh. The two American units moved into an attack formation and crossed a creek which was the only means of access to the suspected area, when they suddenly received intensive small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire from well-concealed and fortified positions. Sergeant Benham bravely exposed himself to hostile fire as he directed effective suppressive fire upon the enemy with his .50 caliber machine gun. Although seriously wounded by enemy fire, he continued to fire such intensive bursts that the enemy could not rise up in their bunkers to return fire. Many times during the battle he rallied his men to increase their efforts against the heavily entrenched enemy. Staff Sergeant Benham’s courage was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.