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 Private First Class Neil Ellis Bateman (ASN: RA-11637874), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Private First Class Bateman distinguished himself by valorous actions on 15 May 1967 while serving as Point Man for Company B, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, while on a search and destroy mission in the Duc Pho vicinity. While moving down a trail Private First Class Bateman came under intense enemy automatic weapons fire from a well entrenched numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force. Without hesitation, and with complete disregard for his personal safety, he charged forward into the murderous hail of fire being directed at him until he was only forty meters from the enemy emplacements. Upon seeing the rest of his platoon pinned down, he stood up completely exposing himself to the enemy in an attempt to place effective fire on the insurgents, and to draw their fire so that his comrades could withdraw the wounded. After his comrades had withdrawn, Private First Class Bateman remained in his exposed position, undaunted by the torrid wall of fire being directed at him, and continued to place effective suppressive fire on the insurgents until he was killed by machinegun fire. Private First Class Bateman’s extraordinary heroism, sound judgment and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.