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 Larry Lee Baxter (ASN: 67162600), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations against as armed hostile force. Private First Class Baxter distinguished himself while participating in a line haul re-supply mission with the 126th Supply and Service Company in the Republic of Vietnam. On 12 May 1969 the petroleum convoy in which Private Baxter was driving came under an intense attack by a heavily armed enemy force. Sustaining a direct hit by an enemy rocket propelled grenade, his trailer, loaded with five thousand gallons of petroleum, was set ablaze. Realizing the immediate danger to the remainder of the convoy if he abandoned his vehicle and left the road blocked, Private Baxter completely disregarded his own safety and continued to drive the vehicle forward into the intense small arms fire. Being struck several times by automatic weapons fire and although critically wounded, he succeeded in guiding his vehicle over a small embankment, thus clearing the roadway in order that the remainder of the convoy might pass to safety. Private Baxter sacrificed his life to assure that an avenue of survival was available to fellow soldiers. His extraordinary heroism in close combat against a numerically superior force was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.