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 Second Lieutenant (Field Artillery) David S. Rahilly (ASN: 0-5428776), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Second Lieutenant Rahilly distinguished himself by exceptional gallantry in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the vicinity of Landing Zone IVY on the Phu My Plain, Republic of Vietnam on 9 April 1968 while serving as Executive Officer with Battery A, 6th Battalion, 84th Artillery. The battalion was deployed to Landing Zone IVY on 9 April 1968 to participate in it’s first combat operation. During the early morning hours, the battalion came under heavy enemy attack in which many casualties were sustained by the initial mortar rounds. Seeing that his men were confused by the attack, Lieutenant Rahilly, though himself wounded in the left leg and suffering severe bleeding and muscle constriction, refused medical aid and limped to the nearest howitzer section, where he obtained the assistance of two cannoneers to help him maneuver. Moving form gun to gun, he rallied his men into action and exhorted them to return fire. Lieutenant Rahilly continuously directed artillery fire on the enemy positions. By his intrepid courage, calmness and leadership, personnel losses in the battery were held to a minimum. Shortly after the action subsided, Lieutenant Rahilly collapsed from loss of blood. He was then evacuated and spent fifteen days recovering from his wounds. His courage and complete disregard for his own safety instilled in each member of the battery the fighting spirit to counter the effects of the enemy attack. Lieutenant Rahilly’s gallant actions and dedicated performance were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.