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) Richard Daniel Chegar (ASN: 0-95829), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Chegar distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 20 and 21 May 1966 while serving as Commanding Officer of Company A, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate), during a search and destroy mission near the village of Long Phuoc, Phuoc Tuy Province, Republic of Vietnam. As Captain Chegar moved his company to begin the assault on the Viet Cong occupied village, he deployed his platoons to take maximum advantage of the terrain. Having effectively engaged the insurgent force, Captain Chegar crawled back and forth across the battlefield to direct the fire and maneuver of his platoons. When one of his platoon leaders and two squad leaders were seriously wounded by claymore mine fragments, Captain Chegar crawled forward through the intense Viet Cong fire to the aid of the platoon. He then reorganized the platoon, established a first aid point and landing zone for evacuation, and then personally supervised the extraction of the wounded personnel. In the early hours of the following morning, Captain Chegar led an assault on the village until the Viet Cong force was defeated. Captain Chegar’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against a hostile force was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.