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 Edward Placencia (ASN: RA-16842068), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Sergeant Placencia distinguished himself by exceptional gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 19 November 1967, while serving with Company A, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry during the battle of Dak To. Sergeant Placencia led his squad forward to the area of heaviest contact in a vicious assault against a numerically superior North Vietnamese force in an attempt to link up with friendly forces that had been cut off by the enemy during the advance. He continually moved from position to position directing his men and instilling confidence in them. Throughout the entire assault Sergeant Placencia exposed himself to the enemy’s automatic weapons, grenade and mortar fire in order to direct his men and complete the mission. After the link-up was almost completed, word was passed that wounded men still lay at the initial point of contact. Sergeant Placencia put a team leader in charge of his squad and with complete disregard for his own safety dashed through the enemy’s intense barrage of fire to rescue his wounded men. On his first trip forward Sergeant Placencia was hit, but despite the seriousness of his wound refused medical attention until he had brought the last of the wounded up the hill to safety. His devotion to duty and personal bravery saved many lives. Sergeant Placencia’s display of courage, devotion to duty and leadership ability were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

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