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 (Infantry), [then First Lieutenant] Desmond W. Flanigan, United States Army, for gallantry in action 30 March 1964 while engaged in military operations in the Republic of Vietnam and serving as an Advisor to the Vietnamese Ranger Battalion. While Captain Flanagan was advising a Vietnamese Company which was providing left flank protection, this unit was suddenly attacked by a hostile battalion with a heavy weapon support company which massed its initial assault on the left flank. Throughout the ensuing three and one-half hour engagement, Captain Flanagan displayed fortitude and determination and, during a move to consolidate the friendly forces, he observed that two of the Ranger squads were left in a position forward of the front lines. Then, with complete disregard for his own personal safety and despite the concentrated heavy fire from the hostile forces, he ran across open terrain, succeeded in reaching the Vietnamese Commander, informed him of the untenable position of the two forward squads, and recommended the action needed to save them. Although the Commander quickly issued orders for the rear elements to move forward and engage the enemy to permit the two squads to withdraw, the orders were not heard because of the extreme battlefield noises. Again Captain Flanagan was undaunted by the constant heavy fire of the battle line as he bravely moved from soldier to soldier informing them of their Commander’s orders. He then rallied one squad and personally made a path through a bamboo entanglement to lead this small unit in an assault operation which forced the enemy to withdraw and permitted this unit to reach the squads in the precarious position. After encouraging these elements to make an orderly withdrawal to the main battle position of the friendly troops, he organized a party to move forward of the main line to bring back the wounded and dead, and continued his valiant efforts by leading this party to the wounded men while still under intermittent hostile gun fire. Captain Flanagan’s conspicuous gallantry and unselfish actions are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and military service.