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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Jerald Lee Thompson (ASN: 0-5326815), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force while serving with Company C, 2d Battalion, 2d Infantry Regiments, 1st Infantry Division. On 15 and 16 November 1966, Lieutenant Thompson’s unit was engaged by a numerically superior Viet Cong force. Lieutenant Thompson, the weapons platoon leader, immediately radioed for illumination of the area. He then began to adjust his platoon’s 81-mm. mortar fire. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Lieutenant Thompson moved through intense insurgent mortar and small arms fire to the perimeter where he could better contemplate the entire situation and adjust his platoon’s fire. Suddenly, the hostile force moved to within eighty meters of the friendly fire direction center and blew a hole in the concertina wire with a Bangalore torpedo. Unhesitatingly, Lieutenant Thompson grabbed an M-79 Grenade Launcher and advanced to a position from which he could cover the break in the wire. He quickly redeployed his men to defend the area near the break and found that the position had been infiltrated by a small group of Viet Cong. Lieutenant Thompson and one other man counterattacked the position, recaptured it, and killed all the Viet Cong. Shortly after Lieutenant Thompson accomplished this mission, a tank arrived with badly needed ammunition, re-supplies and fire support. He quickly and professionally guided the tank into position and supervised the distribution of the ammunition to the line. The unparalleled tenacity, dynamic leadership, and exemplary initiative displayed by Lieutenant Thompson not only inspired his men to fight with renewed vigor, but also was in a large measure responsible for the success of the defense. First Lieutenant Thompson’s unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division and the United States Army.