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 pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Specialist Fourth Class Peter F. Malae (ASN: RA-19895487), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Specialist Fourth Class Malae distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 27 September 1968, while serving as a machine gunner with Company C, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate). On this day Company C encountered a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire from a Battalion-sized North Vietnamese Army base camp with fortified and well concealed bunkers. As the point platoon maneuvered to gain fire superiority, the second platoon moved to form rear security. In the three hour engagement that followed, both friendly and enemy forces began taking a number of casualties. It became evident that a defensive perimeter would have to be formed. Specialist Malae, realizing this and seeing that the first platoon was unable to move because of the intense enemy fire, secured his machine gun and moved down the hill with the tracker team to the point of initial contact. He set up his machine gun in a critical position so he could put effective fire on the enemy. He received credit for killing an estimated fifteen enemy soldiers. During the action, Specialist Malae’s assistant gunner was wounded and he left the gun long enough to pull the injured man to safety. His courageous actions were responsible for saving the company from taking many more casualties. Specialist Malae’s extraordinary heroism was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.