The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Lawrence S. Holder, United States Army, for The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Lawrence S. Holder, United States Army, for gallantry in action while assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) in the Republic of Vietnam. Private First Class Holder distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 17 December 1966 while serving as a Medical Aid Man attached to Company C, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 12th Cavalry, during a combat operation near 506 Valley, Republic of Vietnam. When his company was facing a numerically superior force of North Vietnamese Regulars from the 18th North Vietnamese Army Regiment, he left his secure location when a fellow Soldier was critically wounded. Private First Class Holder raced over 100 meters across an open field under heavy enemy fire to reach the wounded Soldier. Upon observing an enemy combatant preparing to kill the wounded Soldier, Private First Class Holder threw his body across the Soldier without any regard for his own personal safety, shielding him from the deadly automatic weapon fire. Private First Class Holder was wounded twice from the hail of bullets and lost consciousness, and the wounded Soldier used his body as a shield to crawl to safety. Private First Class Holder was later recovered and flown to a medical hospital where he recovered from his wounds. His gallant action is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.