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 Sergeant David Ives Mixter, United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Special Operations Augmentation, Command and Control Detachment Central, 5th Special Forces Group ( Airborne), 1st Special Forces, gallantry in action on 29 January 1971, while serving as a member of a joint American/Vietnamese reconnaissance team on a mission deep in enemy controlled territory. After being inserted on 29 January the team moved from the landing zone and into dense jungle. The team had stopped for a security break when Sergeant Mixter detected enemy movement nearby. He readied himself for combat and alerted his team members to danger. Soon the lead element of a force estimated to be two squads of enemy soldiers came into view, and Sergeant Mixter fired on them. The enemy returned fire with rockets, small arms, and automatic weapons. Realizing they were greatly outnumbered, the team began to withdraw while Sergeant Mixter remained in his position to deliver covering fire. By his holding the enemy at bay, his fellow soldiers were able to escape the deadly trap. When Sergeant Mixter attempted to rejoin his team, a B-40 rocket landed directly in front of him, wounding him seriously. The remainder of the team was forced to withdraw from the area by the overwhelming enemy firepower and was safely extracted an hour later. Sergeant Mixter’s selfless actions gave them the precious seconds they needed to reach safety. Sergeant Mixter’s gallantry and self-sacrifice were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him and the United States Army.