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 Specialist Fourth Class Carlton Amerson (ASN: US-53418966), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Specialist Fourth Class Amerson distinguished himself by heroic action on 16 February 1967, while serving with the 1st Platoon of Company C, 2d Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, during a reconnaissance patrol near the Cambodian border. As the platoon approached a village, an enemy automatic weapon opened fire. Reacting swiftly, the Platoon Leader maneuvered his men against the enemy weapon. Again, the platoon found itself being fired upon by a second enemy gun emplacement. Caught in a deadly crossfire, the Platoon Leader decided to lead his men back, attempting to reach higher ground on the other side of a stream. Still another enemy automatic weapon opened up, this time pinning the platoon down with intense fire from three directions. During this time, the enemy began using devastating mortar fire and B-40 Rockets on the already encircled platoon. Shifting their mortar fire, the enemy assaulted the perimeter of the platoon, yelling, screaming and firing, as they attacked from all sides. Courageously defending the perimeter, Specialist Amerson was wounded and passed out during the early stages of the attack. Regaining consciousness, he refused medical aid and broke open his first aid packet and tried to stop the bleeding from his own wound. As he did this, he noticed that the weapon of a man nearby had jammed. Exposing himself still further to enemy fire, he yelled to the stricken man and threw his own weapon and ammunition to the individual, leaving himself unarmed from the advancing enemy. Specialist Amerson, extremely weak from the loss of blood, continued to expose himself to heavy fire, as he moved to observe the movement of the enemy attempting to infiltrate the perimeter. Seeing an enemy machine gunner firing at the platoon’s radio which had fallen into the open, Specialist Amerson lunged for the radio, covering it with his body. As he performed this heroic act, he was struck by enemy fire and killed instantly. His unimpeachable valor in close combat against a numerically superior force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.