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 Fourth Class Daniel P. McLaughlin (ASN: RA-15673320), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Detachment A-342, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Specialist Fourth Class McLaughlin distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 10 June 1965 while serving as an intelligence advisor for a U.S. Army Special Forces Detachment at Dong Xoai, Republic of Vietnam. When the village and Special Forces camp came under heavy attack from an estimated reinforced regiment of Viet Cong, Specialist McLaughlin manned a defensive position and delivered deadly and accurate grenade and rocket fire on the enemy positions. His marksmanship destroyed a Viet Cong bunker that he and his comrades were defending. Rather than remain in the protective bunker, Specialist McLaughlin elected to take up a position just outside to have better fields of fire and freedom of action. By doing so, he exposed himself to the deadly hostile fire. Although wounded by enemy fire, Specialist McLaughlin remained outside the bunker and continued to fire upon the enemy until he ran out of ammunition and was directed to withdraw. Then, without regard for his own personal safety, he repeatedly volunteered for and executed dangerous missions outside the building, subjecting himself to intense hostile fire. The heroic actions and unselfish risk of life of Specialist Fourth Class McLaughlin were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.