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 Lieutenant (Armor) Larry Reginald Jordan, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion (Mechanized), 2d Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam on 23 November 1968. On this date, First Lieutenant Jordan was serving with his mechanized unit on a reinforcement operation in the Michelin Rubber Plantation. After another friendly company had made contact with an enemy base camp and had been pinned down, First Lieutenant Jordan’s unit maneuvered with their tracks to the point of contact. When he had reached his beleaguered comrades, First Lieutenant Jordan brought the 50 caliber machine guns into operation and instantly placed devastating accurate fire upon the insurgent emplacements. With tactical deliberation, he then led his unit on a deliberate assault of the aggressor positions. First Lieutenant Jordan risked his life as he personally placed suppressive machinegun fire from his track and simultaneously directed the destruction of enemy bunkers with hand grenades. Continuing to disregard the hostile fire raking the area, he coordinated the assault of the enemy positions using the combined strength of the infantry and his mechanized unit until many of the insurgent strongholds were silenced. When the last remaining insurgent emplacement began placing heavy rocket-propelled grenade fire on the friendly unit, First Lieutenant Jordan quickly placed his heavy machinegun fir on the position and directed its destruction with recoilless rifle fire. His courageous initiative and exemplary professionalism significantly contributed to the death of 32 enemy soldiers and the success of the encounter. First Lieutenant Jordan’s unquestionable valor in close combat against a hostile force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.