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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Herbert Joseph McChrystal, Jr. (ASN: 0-27327), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force on 26 June 1966, while serving as with the 2d Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. On this date, an ambush patrol from Company B of Lieutenant Colonel McChrystal’s battalion had become surrounded and was subsequently attacked by a numerically superior Viet Cong force. The patrol immediately sustained casualties, but it radioed for assistance and was able to temporarily hold off the Viet Cong. Lieutenant Colonel McChrystal rapidly assessed the situation and sent a platoon to aid the patrol. Once the Viet Cong assault subsided, Lieutenant Colonel McChrystal rapidly assessed the situation and sent a platoon to the aid of the patrol. Once the Viet Cong assault subsided, Lieutenant Colonel McChrystal dispatched a convoy of vehicles to bring medical aid to the casualties. Although well aware that the area was still infiltrated by Viet Cong, he personally guided the convoy through the darkness to a point close by the ambush site. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Lieutenant Colonel McCrystal led medical aidmen to his soldiers. Giving concise and rapid orders, he supervised the evacuation of the injured, personally administering first aid, and helping to carry out the casualties. Lieutenant Colonel McChrystal ignored the occasional sniper rounds and rifle grenades that were fired at the relief convoy as he led his men to the battalion aid station and then went back to the ambush site. He returned to the battalion command post only when he was personally satisfied that all casualties had been extracted and that the ambush site was properly secured for the remainder of the night. Lieutenant Colonel McChrystal’s unquestionable valor in close combat against superior forces 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.

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 a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Herbert Joseph McChrystal, Jr. (ASN: 0-27327), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force, on 30 June 1966, while serving as Commanding Officer of the 2d Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. On this date, a Viet Cong regiment attacked a troop of the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, and Company C of Lieutenant Colonel McChrystal’s battalion as they were travelling in a convoy along Highway 13 between Hon Quan and Loc Ninh. Reacting rapidly, Lieutenant Colonel McChrystal immediately ordered Company B, 2d Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment to the assistance of the troops under attack. When it became apparent that the attacking force was numerically superior, Lieutenant Colonel McChrystal committed Company A. He quickly flew to the area of battle with the battalion command group, landing in a hostile landing zone. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Lieutenant Colonel McChrystal remained in the open exposing himself to the hostile fire in order to direct the deployment of his men on the landing zone. The command group moved down the highway and established a command post. Keeping cognizant of all developments via radio, Lieutenant Colonel McChrystal issued concise and accurate orders to his company commanders and flew over the troops in a helicopter, directing the maneuvers of the battalion. When the battle ended, Lieutenant Colonel McChrystal oversaw the policing of the battlefield. The actions of the battalion, always under his direct command, rendered the 273d Viet Cong Regiment’s combat capability ineffective. Lieutenant Colonel McChrystal’s unquestionable valor in close combat against superior hostile forces 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.