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 Private First Class Elbert Darrell Poff (ASN: RA-11607229), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Private First Class Poff distinguished himself by exceptional gallantry in the Republic of Vietnam on 5 May 1968, while serving as a rifleman in Company D, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate). On the above date, Company D was conducting a search and destroy mission in the vicinity of Phu My. The first platoon, which was operating out of a patrolling base, sent out a squad size patrol to search for suspected enemy bases and caches in the hilly and rough terrain. Private Poff’s squad became engaged in a fierce battle with a North Vietnamese force of unknown size and the point man of the squad was seriously wounded. The wounded man was lying helplessly about fifty meters to the front of the squad, unable to move because of the enemy fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, Private Poff rushed forward through a murderous hail of small arms and automatic weapons fire to aid his wounded comrade. He moved him approximately thirty meters to safety, shielding him with his own body from the enemy fire which was directed at him. As Private Poff was placing the wounded man behind the shelter of a large boulder, he was himself shot and mortally wounded. Private Poff’s outstanding heroism and self-sacrifice were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.