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 Captain Richard Leo Klass, United States Air Force, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force as a Forward Air Controller with the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, DaNang Air Base, South Vietnam, in action near A Shau, Republic of Vietnam, on 25 December 1967. On that date, Captain Klass volunteered to fly into A Shau Valley to determine the weather so that a rescue operation could be launched. Despite the very low ceilings in the valley and the ground fire he was receiving from heavy ground fire, Captain Klass made two passes through the valley searching for the downed airmen until his aircraft was hit by hostile foreign-made anti-aircraft fire. Although he was bleeding profusely from a wound in his neck, he radioed information to the rescue aircraft which expedited the evacuation of the downed airmen. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Klass has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.