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 Specialist Fifth Class David Michael Kirkwood, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force as a member of Detachment A-415, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, in the Republic of Vietnam, from 28 to 30 May 1970. Specialist Fifth Class Kirkwood distinguished himself while advising a Vietnamese strike force element during a search and clear operation in Cambodia. As the element moved down a thickly vegetated jungle road, they came under intense fire from a well entrenched enemy force. Although withering enemy fire prohibited an immediate assault, Specialist Kirkwood advanced to a forward position to assess the enemy situation. He then ran through the enemy fire to report his findings to the allied command group. After returning to his men, he led an aggressive assault on a nearby enemy bunker and destroyed it. When an exploding enemy mortar round seriously wounded Specialist Kirkwood’s grenadier, he carried the soldier to a covered position where he applied first aid to his wounds. As the enemy fire intensified, Specialist Kirkwood continued to maneuver among his men providing cover fire for the withdrawal of casualties. On the second day of enemy contact, Specialist Kirkwood crossed two hundred meters of fire-swept terrain to again advise the command element of the enemy situation. He then assaulted an enemy bunker with smoke grenades to pinpoint the location for an impending allied air strike. Throughout the operation, Specialist Kirkwood’s determined actions greatly enhanced the overall success of the mission and provided the Vietnamese with the leadership necessary to complete the hazardous mission with only minimum casualties. Specialist Kirkwood’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.