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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Gary Richard Clark (ASN: 0-5336734), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations against a hostile force on 6 December 1967 while serving as Platoon Leader, Company A, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 199th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light), in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, while leading his platoon in an attack against a Viet Cong force, Lieutenant Clark’s platoon began receiving an intense volume of fire from the enemy, located in strongly fortified bunkers. Reacting quickly to the situation Lieutenant Clark rallied his men and led them in an aggressive advance on the enemy position. Wounded in the leg during the initial encounter, Lieutenant Clark ignored the pain of the injury to continue guiding the movements of his men. When the enemy detonated a claymore mine in a futile attempt to halt the advancing platoon, Lieutenant Clark again suffered wounds in the legs and thigh. Lieutenant Clark courageously persisted in his efforts, personally engaging and neutralizing a heavily-fortified enemy position that had been placing intense fire on his platoon. While guiding his men past this position, Lieutenant Clark was struck by a burst of automatic weapons fire and mortally wounded. Incapacitated and in deep pain, he instructed his men to leave him and continue their assault against the enemy. His gallantry inspired his men to greater efforts and was instrumental in overcoming a serious enemy threat. Second Lieutenant Clark’s courage and dedication 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.