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 Specialist Fourth Class Franklin A. Sappingfield (ASN: RA-16949781), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Specialist Four Sappingfield distinguished himself by exceptional gallantry in the Republic of Vietnam on 20 March 1968, while serving with Company C, 3rd Battalion (Airborne) 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate). On the above date, Company C made an assault on Hill 600 and shortly thereafter was ordered to withdraw. One of the men who had stayed behind to cover the withdrawal was wounded and pinned down by heavy machine gun fire. The other men who were covering the withdrawal were unaware of his plight and began to withdrawal without him. Specialist Sappingfield, who had already led his fire team to safety, heard the wounded man’s cries for help and ran back through a hail of gunfire to assist his comrade. Standing up to distract the enemy machine gunner from the wounded man’s position, Specialist Sappingfield dashed across the firing lane into a small clear area. He succeeded in temporarily silencing the machine gun with his own fire and ran to the wounded man, seized him and moved him to the shelter of a small depression before the machinegun could open fire again. By this time the platoon leader and several squad members had become aware of what was happening and began to move up into position to aid in the extraction of the wounded trooper. As they moved the man down the hill, Specialist Sappingfield remained behind to cover their withdrawal. The enemy moved out of their bunkers and down the trenches toward his position. Specialist Sappingfield killed four of the advancing enemy before beginning to withdrawal. When the wounded man had been safely evacuated, Specialist Sappingfield returned to his men to participate in a second assault upon the hill. During this assault, he was hit and mortally wounded. His courage and concern for his wounded comrade were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.