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 Specialist Fourth Class Perry V. Benally, United States Army, for gallantry in action from 15 December to 16 December 1967, while serving as a Rifleman in the weapons platoon of Company C, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in support of operations in the Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Fourth Class Benally’s platoon was engaged by a numerically superior force of North Vietnamese soldiers and sustained heavy casualties. Despite being wounded in the leg by fragments from an enemy grenade, he continued forward to assault the enemy with his unit. He was wounded in the right temple as his element continued to sustain heavy casualties. His platoon began rescuing the wounded Soldiers, when the rescuers were fired upon by the North Vietnamese. Specialist Fourth Class Benally successfully engaged and destroyed the enemy force firing upon the rescuers, enabling several wounded soldiers to be evacuated. However, other enemy forces increased their assault and Specialist Fourth Class Benally was separated from his unit. He continued fighting until running out of ammunition, at which point he decided to hold out until help could arrive. He retreated to a graveyard, where he encountered two enemy combatants, who he destroyed with his empty M-16 rifle. He spent the night at the graveyard, where he was rescued by his company the next morning. Specialist Fourth Class Benally’s actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Cavalry Division, and the United States Army.