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 First Sergeant Michael J. Deeb (ASN: RA-14354095), United States Army, for gallantry in action. First Sergeant Deeb distinguished himself by exceptional valor in action while engaged in military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 19 November 1967, while serving as First Sergeant of Company D (Provisional), 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, on a search and destroy operation. The forward element of the company engaged the enemy who were defending a well concealed and fortified position. Sergeant Deeb, although suffering from a painful fragment wound received during the initial enemy fire, unhesitatingly moved forward to reorganize and direct suppressive fire. He demonstrated fearless and forceful leadership in encouraging his force to withstand the enemy action. When Company D (Provisional) broke contact with the enemy to form a defensive perimeter, Sergeant Deeb again demonstrated his personal bravery by moving under intense enemy fire along the company perimeter, emplacing weapons and encouraging the defenders. When ammunition became scarce and aerial re-supply arrived, enemy ground fire forced the pilot of the supply helicopter to drop the critical supplies approximately fifty meters outside of the company perimeter. Sergeant Deeb and two other men went out to retrieve the vital supplies. When they were caught in enemy fire, which killed one of the party, Sergeant Deeb continued forward, engaged the well concealed enemy snipers and killed them. After securing the supplies, Sergeant Deeb remained behind until the other man had reached the company perimeter. Sergeant Deeb’s extraordinary valor in close combat was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.