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 First Sergeant Clifton Ballantyn Bergman (ASN: RA-18118418), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. On 14 October 1967, First Sergeant Bergman distinguished himself while serving as First Sergeant of Company C, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, on a search and destroy operation near Thanh Hoa. The main body of the company was setting up a perimeter defense when enemy forces opened fire from concealed positions. One platoon immediately began maneuvering to one flank of the area where the fire had broken out. First Sergeant Bergman saw that some of the men hesitated to move in the face of the intense enemy fire. He quickly moved to the front of the platoon, rallied the men and drove forward with them through the heavy fire against the enemy positions. Witnessing First Sergeant Bergman’s exceptionally display of valor, some of the more inexperienced personnel who had wavered in the initial contact began to advance, seeking out the sources of the enemy fire and engaging the enemy aggressively. Once, when the increasing hostile fire forced the platoon to halt, it was First Sergeant Bergman’s leadership and personal example which enabled the platoon to resume its forward motion. The platoon was returning to its original location when one of the men tripped an anti-personnel mine which seriously wounded First Sergeant Bergman. Ignoring his painful condition, he continued to direct his men, inspiring them by his courage and causing them to forget their individual hardships and work as a team. First Sergeant Bergman later succumbed to his wounds, but by his heroic actions he had solidified the company’s will to fight at a decisive moment and thus solidified the company’s will to fight at a decisive moment an thus ensured the defeat of the enemy. First Sergeant Bergman’s gallantry was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.