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 Captain (Infantry) Steven Lloyd Arnold, United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 502d Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, on 17 June 1967, near Duc Pho, Republic of Vietnam. While on a search and destroy mission, Captain Arnold, platoon leader for the Recondos, halted his men shortly before dusk to set up a night defensive perimeter. Immediately following the establishment of the perimeter an undetermined number of Viet Cong began to probe the Recondos’ area. The enemy opened up with automatic weapons and hurled grenades into the friendly position, initiating a raging firefight. Realizing that he was outnumbered and foreseeing the precarious situation that was rapidly developing, Captain Arnold took immediate action. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Captain Arnold rushed from his covered position and ran through the bitter enemy fire to the location of his radio-telephone operator. Captain Arnold immediately called in artillery support and exposed himself to the hail of enemy bullets once again as he courageously moved throughout the area directing the supporting fire and the firepower of his own men. As the firefight raged on, Captain Arnold was all over the perimeter, giving aid and comfort to the wounded, and encouragement to his men. In one instance Captain Arnold, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, rushed across the perimeter through the murderous fire of the enemy, to the aid of one of his wounded men, and carried him to the safety of the perimeter where he administered the badly needed medical attention. After the enemy was beaten back into the seclusion of the jungle, Captain Arnold personally led a small patrol outside the perimeter to police up the discarded weapons of the enemy. Captain Arnold’s outstanding display of gallantry in action and his devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.