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 Louis Robert Balog (ASN: RA-55826256), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Detachment A-234, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Balog distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 4 February 1968 while serving as Special Forces advisor to a Vietnamese company during the Lunar New Year battle for Dalat. While conducting a fierce house to house fight to drive out determined Viet Cong elements in the city, his platoon was trapped in an open intersection by small arms and automatic weapons fire from four houses. Sergeant Balog quickly realized the vulnerable position his men were in and stood up amid a hail of bullets to deploy them for a counterattack on the hostile positions. Completely ignoring his personal safety, he repeatedly braved withering fire and moved among his troops to encourage them and direct their fire. As he led a fierce charge into the face of the enemy weapons, he was mortally wounded. Sergeant Balog’s gallantry in action, at the cost of his life, was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.