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 Private First Class Claude J. Hunt (ASN: RA-14938475), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 2d Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam on 8 December 1967. On this date, during Operation SHENANDOAH II, Private First Class Hunt was serving as a Medical Aidman on a search and destroy operation near Bo Duc in War Zone C. Late at night, his battalion’s position received intense hostile mortar fire, followed by ground assaults from a numerically superior Viet Cong force. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Private First Class Hunt exposed himself to small arms fire and exploding mortar rounds as he moved about the area treating the casualties. Hearing a call for help from a wounded man in a forward position, he began moving towards him. Despite the mortar rounds which were landing all around him, Private First Class Hunt kept moving forward until he reached his stricken comrade. As the battle continued, he exposed himself further to the hostile fire as he carried several wounded men from the perimeter to a medical evacuation point in the rear. On one of these trips, he was knocked down and wounded by an enemy mortar round. Disregarding his wounds, he continued to aid the casualties until they had all been evacuated. His courage under fire and regard for the welfare of his fellow soldiers undoubtedly saved several lives. Private First Class Hunt’s unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.