Navy Federal Credit Union

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 Sergeant First Class Manuel J. Alvarez (ASN: RA-12320219), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Sergeant First Class Alvarez distinguished himself by exceptionally gallant and valorous actions against an armed and hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 22 March 1968, while serving as Acting First Sergeant with Company C, 3d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate). After the company completed an orderly withdrawal from Hill 600, near Kontum, it was noted that four members of the company were missing. All reports indicated that they were either dead or wounded and still up on the hill. Disregarding an airstrike only minutes away, Sergeant Alvarez and four volunteers quickly returned to the hill in an attempt to retrieve the missing men and their equipment. When the party reached the scene of the previous battle, Sergeant Alvarez designated a rally point and the party split up in different directions. Shortly thereafter the four missing en and their equipment were discovered, three of whom were dead and the other seriously wounded. Sergeant Alvarez had the equipment and wounded man secured and then directed the rescue party to move back down the hill. Without regard to the impending air strike, Sergeant Alvarez remained on the hill to cover the withdrawing rescue party. While he remained a sniper tossed a grenade that wounded him. After shooting the sniper, he moved down the hill to his small party, reaching the safety of the company perimeter seconds before the air strike began devastating the hill. Had it not been for Sergeant Alvarez’s quick organization of a search party, his calm action under hostile fire and his disregard for his own welfare, the wounded man would have surely lost his life and several weapons and valuable equipment would have been lost to the enemy. Sergeant Alvarez’s heroic actions on Hill 600 were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

Awards Received