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 pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Morton Elmer Townes, Jr. (ASN: 0-5419588), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Battery B, 1st Battalion, 30th Artillery Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, on 3 February 1967, in the Republic of Vietnam. Lieutenant Townes and his observation party were on patrol as part of a larger force when an artillery round was exploded against the party as it approached an enemy position. Lieutenant Townes, with complete disregard for his own welfare, concerned himself solely with obtaining medical attention for those of his party who were wounded. Although suffering from a severe leg wound himself, he made his way to the radio and finding it still operational, called to his unit to inform it that the party had been hit. The gravely wounded lieutenant worked the radio for almost half an hour under the enemy attack to call in helicopters to carry out the dead, the dying and the wounded. His efforts were directly responsible for saving the lives of several Vietnamese who were part of the friendly force participating in the operation. His 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.