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 Colonel (Armor) Walter Francis Ulmer, United States Army, for gallantry In action. Colonel Ulmer distinguished himself by gallantry in action during the period 10 May 1972 through 16 June 1972, as the Senior Advisor to the 5th Infantry Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. Throughout this period, Colonel Ulmer participated in the successful defense of the city of An Loc against three enemy divisions reinforced by tanks and sophisticated anti-aircraft weapons. On 10 May 1972, Colonel Ulmer voluntarily entered the severely contacted defensive perimeter by helicopter in the face of highly effective anti-aircraft fire and death-dealing indirect fire. The city was completely surrounded and the enemy was employing a combination of strangulation tactics and massive frontal assaults supported by tanks and artillery. The enemy was directing at least 2,000 rounds of indirect fire into the perimeter each day. After landing inside the besieged city, Colonel Ulmer moved to the division command post, a distance of approximately 500 meters, through an area that was the target of continuous indirect fire. For the next 38 days, he skillfully directed tactical air strikes and helicopter gunships as the enemy repeatedly assaulted the beleaguered force. Even when the enemy managed to maneuver tanks inside the city and into positions from which they could engaged the command post with direct fire, Colonel Ulmer calmly disregarded the threat to his personal safety, and stood by his counterpart during the most precarious period of the 73 day siege. Colonel Ulmer’s courageous actions contributed immeasurably to the unwavering defense as every attack was driven back. His calm demeanor while constantly exposed to the devastating fires served as an inspiration to the Vietnamese soldiers and bolstered their will to fight on. Three decimated enemy division stand as mut testimony to his courageous actions, bravery, and tenacity of purpose. The combination of Colonel Ulmer’s courage and professional skill coupled with the massive firepower that he controlled led to the eventual lifting of the siege on 16 June 1972. Colonel Ulmer’s conspicuous gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Colonel (Armor) Walter Francis Ulmer, United States Army, for gallantry In action. Colonel Ulmer distinguished himself by gallantry in action on 9 July 1972, while serving as the Senior Advisor to the 5th Infantry Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam, which was under siege at An Loc during the Binh Long Campaign. On this date, a helicopter brought four U.S. Advisors into An Loc which was then under intermittent artillery fire. Colonel Ulmer met this party and was escorting them through An Loc when a portion of the group came under an 105-mm. artillery barrage. One round landed amidst the group killing several and severely wounding four others. While 105-mm. artillery fire continued to fall in the area, Colonel Ulmer, without hesitation and without regard for his personal safety, raced into the impacting artillery and administered first aid on the critically wounded. After giving the first aid, Colonel Ulmer, Colonel Ulmer started to evacuate the wounded to safety and then to an aid station. Only upon seeing Colonel Ulmer start the evacuation did others come forward to assist in the evacuation. Upon arrival at the aid station, he personally administered to the needs of two of the critically wounded as there was only one doctor to handle the other two critical casualties. Immediately after the wounded were stabilized, Colonel Ulmer went back out on to QL 13 south of An Loc in the face of known enemy small arms and intense artillery fire to evacuate the wounded. He administered heart massage on one wounded and insured that the intravenous fluids continued uninterrupted on two patients in the movement to and waiting on the landing zone. As the medical evacuation helicopter landed in the pick up zone, an immediate area came under observed artillery fire. Again without regard for his personal safety, Colonel Ulmer steadfastly insured that the wounded were properly loaded and did not seek safety until the medical evacuation helicopter had departed the impact area. His courageous actions and humanitarian concern for his comrades-in-arms were responsible for saving the lives of two soldiers. Colonel Ulmer’s conspicuous gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.