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 Captain (Infantry) Wells Eldon Cunningham (ASN: 0-92421), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Detachment A-253, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Captain Cunningham distinguished himself on 17 August 1966 while serving as an advisor to a Civilian Irregular Defense Group company conducting combat operations against the Viet Cong in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Cunningham joined the operation at approximately 1400 hours during a medical evacuation of several casualties. After this, two American advisors and himself led a Civilian Irregular Defense Group on a search and clear operation. Several hundred meters from the staging area, Captain Cunningham and his unit were ambushed by a large Viet Cong force. Repeated attempts were made to reinforce the beleaguered troops, but each attempt was repulsed by the insurgents. With the fall of darkness, sounds of battle in the area ceased. When a relief force reached the battle site, they found Captain Cunningham and his element had been killed. That Captain Cunningham and his force fought courageously was evidenced by the Viet Cong bodies remaining in the battle area. His extraordinary heroism in close combat against a numerically superior force was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.