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 Willie F. Owens, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 23 May 1969 while serving as a machine gunner with Troop A, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date Troop A was conducting a reconnaissance mission near Xuan Loc when it was unexpectedly engaged by an unknown size North Vietnamese Army force using rocket propelled grenades, automatic weapons and small arms fire. As the troop formed on line, two antitank grenades slammed into Private Owens’ armored vehicle, sending fragments into his arms, chest, back and legs. Despite the intense pain and profuse bleeding, he refused to be evacuated and remained at his station, continuing to fire the machine gun. Soon after he had been hit, he spotted the rocket propelled grenade team which had attacked his vehicle. Taking careful aim, he engaged them with his machine gun, killing both hostile troops. Still ignoring his wounds, he continued firing for the next two hours until the loss of blood forced him to be evacuated. Private First Class Owens’ outstanding courage and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.