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 Captain (Air Defense Artillery) Alexander Kaleolani Olsen (ASN: 0-98876), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. Captain Olsen distinguished himself by gallantry in action on 7 May 1969, while serving as Senior Province Reconnaissance Unit Advisor, Binh Long Province, Republic of Vietnam. Captain Olsen was accompanying a small raiding force to exploit information obtained from a Hoi Chanh. As the unit approached the operational area it detected the enemy occupying a base camp- in a densely wooded area. Captain Olsen advised his counterpart that because tactical surprise was complete, the situation should be fully exploited immediately. Upon opening fire on the startled enemy, Captain Olsen, undaunted by the withering return fire, inspired the friendly soldiers to aggressively press the attack. Following his valiant, courageous example the friendly forces overran the Viet Cong base camp, inflicting heavy casualties upon the enemy. Almost immediately after taking the base camp the friendly forces began to receive intense mortar fire from a larger enemy force in an adjacent base area. Captain Olsen, although painfully wounded, immediately returned to the fire-swept forward areas where he could direct suppressive fires and begin the extraction of the force. Through his tactical proficiency, mature judgement, and inordinate courage he extracted the friendly force from this extremely dangerous position while simultaneously directing devastatingly accurate artillery fire upon the enemy. As a result of his singularly impressive display of battlefield courage, exceptional tactical proficiency, and fierce aggressiveness, an inspired Vietnamese force achieved a hard won victory over a tenacious enemy. Captain Olsen’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.