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 Fifth Class Gary Wayne Phillips (ASN: US-54508861), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 18 April 1968, while assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 199th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light), in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Specialist Phillips was serving as the Senior Medical Aidman for Company A when it was engaged by a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force. Unhesitatingly responding to the call of “Medic” all around him, he courageously advanced approximately 40 meters through a hail of enemy fire until he reached a member of the 2d Platoon who was severely wounded. After applying medical treatment, he carried the man to safety. Spotting another casualty lying in the open, Specialist Phillips again ran through withering enemy fire to give him aid, but finding him dead, he carried the body back to the security of friendly lines. Throughout the afternoon and well into the night, Specialist Phillips continued to move freely among the wounded, administering medical treatment, giving instructions and providing words of encouragement. His bravery and courage inspired the wounded men to keep their morale high until they could be evacuated to a hospital by helicopter the next morning. Specialist Fifth Class Phillips’ valorous actions and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.