The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Specialist Fourth Class Larry T. Reed (ASN: US-54442244), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Fourth Class Reed distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 27 October 1968 while serving as a Rifleman with Company B, 3d Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, on a reconnaissance in force mission in Kien Hoa Province. After his unit came under a barrage of enemy rocket and machine gun fire while conducting a sweep of an area known to contain a Viet Cong base camp, several casualties were sustained and Specialist Reed’s platoon became pinned down in an open rice paddy. Sighting an enemy bunker from which heavy fire was emanating, Specialist Reed began an assault on the hostile position, running forward through the fusillade to get within grenade range of the emplacement. Although he was once forced to take cover behind a rice paddy dike, he again exposed himself to direct fire from the emplacement and continued his assault. Reaching the bunker, Specialist Reed threw grenades into the interior, destroying the emplacement and disrupting the enemy’s defensive perimeter. Specialist Fourth Class Reed’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty in close combat with an armed hostile force are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Navy Award) to Specialist Fourth Class Larry T. Reed (ASN: US-54442244), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while embarked in U.S.S. WESTCHESTER COUNTY (LST-1167) in the hostile waters of the My Tho River during assault operations against communist aggressor forces in the Republic of Vietnam, on the morning of 1 November 1968. When two enemy mines exploded, ripping through WESTCHESTER COUNTY’s starboard side and inflicting heavy casualties, Specialist Fourth Class Reed immediately proceeded to the scene, entered the highly explosive compartments which were filled with water and fuel oil, and succeeded in locating and guiding trapped personnel to safety. Additionally, he personally removed two seriously injured victims of the explosion who were unable to help themselves and who undoubtedly would have perished in the water-filled compartments. Although debris, water and fuel oil were now up to the top of his shoulders, Specialist Fourth Class Reed remained in the compartments until he was sure that all personnel had left. By his courageous, prompt, and inspiring efforts, he was directly instrumental in saving many lives. His heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Armed Forces.