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 Lieutenant (Infantry) Alan (Allan Clark Gilles (ASN: 0-5344197), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with the 170th Assault Helicopter Company, 11th Aviation Brigade, in the Republic of Vietnam on 8 January 1969. First Lieutenant Gilles distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as an aircraft commander of a UH-1H infantry carrying helicopter. A Special Forces reconnaissance force team called for extraction assistance, as they had become encircled by a large hostile force and were in the process of being overrun. He immediately volunteered for the mission of extricating the trapped men. Arriving at the extraction site, it became evident that the area was hazardously plagued with mountains and dense jungle foliage. Despite these conditions, First Lieutenant Gilles expertly and courageously guided his aircraft amidst the dense jungle foliage, completely disregarding the danger from the ever-increasing intensity of the enemy’s fire. He avoided the enemy’s fire, set down in the landing zone and loaded the reconnaissance team aboard. But, as he began his ascent from the landing zone his aircraft was riddled with enemy fire, and in a matter of seconds all the transmission oil was gone. The rotor blades froze and the aircraft crashed to the ground, mortally wounding First Lieutenant Gilles. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.