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 Sergeant William Percival, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 12 August 1969 while serving as communications sergeant with Company H, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date Company H was reinforcing Troop E which had suffered several casualties while fighting a large enemy force. When one entire tank crew was evacuated, Sergeant Percival organized a crew and mounted the abandoned vehicle. He directed his vehicle into the heaviest fighting, helping to protect the lighter assault vehicles. Exposing himself to a constant barrage of automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fire he crushed one bunker complex and was immediately taken under fire by several enemy bunkers. Again rocket grenades crashed and exploded around him but he destroyed another complex. When he began to move back before the airstrikes, he insured that all the other vehicles were safely out of the area before he maneuvered back himself. Sergeant Percival’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.