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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Warrant Officer Reinis Fox (ASN: W-3159717), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 1 October 1968 in the Republic of Vietnam. Warrant officer Fox distinguished himself by intrepid actions on 1 October 1968 while serving as the pilot of a dust-off helicopter with the 54th Medical Detachment. On that date, Warrant Officer Fox was engaged in the medical evacuation of fourteen injured men in the vicinity of the Thien Phouc Special Forces Camp. On the first attempt to evacuate the wounded men, Warrant Officer Fox’s aircraft was shot down by hostile fire, and he was evacuated from the area. Completely disregarding his own personal safety, Warrant Officer Fox volunteered to return to the area and attempt to complete the mission. With the help of supporting gunships, he succeeded in landing his aircraft and remained on the ground long enough for nine of the casualties to be loaded onto his craft. Once airborne, his aircraft continued to receive fire from the insurgents and sustained several hits, putting it into a tailspin and causing it to crash land. Upon impact, the aircraft burst into flames and in the ensuing holocaust, Warrant Officer Fox was seriously burned over a large portion of his body. Warrant Officer Fox’s personal heroism, professional competence, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.


