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 Wayne Lee Evitt (ASN: US-53396265), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 2d Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Specialist Fourth Class Evitt distinguished himself while serving as a machine gunner in a company conducting a search and destroy operation near the Cambodian border in the Republic of Vietnam. While moving toward their objective, Specialist Fourth Class Evitt’s platoon received intense hostile fire from a well-fortified Viet Cong emplacement. During the initial burst of hostile fire, several members of the platoon were wounded and in an exposed position. Specialist Fourth Class Evitt unhesitatingly moved to a good firing position and placed a base of fire upon the insurgents that enabled the wounded to be evacuated. Shortly after this, Specialist Fourth Class Evitt, with complete disregard for his safety, charged the Viet Cong position while firing his machine gun and successfully overran it. While pursuing the retreating insurgents, he was mortally wounded by a burst of hostile fire. Specialist Fourth Class Evitt’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against a Viet Cong force was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.