Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion (Airborne)

    Regiment:

    327th Infantry Regiment

    Action Date:

    May 15, 1967

    Headquarters, Task Force Oregon (Provisional), General Orders No. 189 (August 6, 1967)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Gary Luvell Forbes, Sr.. (ASN: 0-5324918), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force on 15 May 1967 in the Republic of Vietnam. As a Reconnaissance Platoon of 1st Battalion (Airborne), 327th Infantry Regiment, was moving down a trail through a heavily foliaged area, it came under intense enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire from a well concealed battalion-sized enemy force. Lieutenant Forbes, the platoon leader, immediately deployed his men and assaulted the insurgent emplacements. With complete disregard for his own perso0nal safety, he continually exposed himself to the enemy fire to direct the fire and movement of his men. In the course of his efforts, Lieutenant Forbes was seriously wounded in the chest, but refused medical attention and continued to lead his force. Single-handedly, he assaulted one enemy emplacement killing all the insurgents. Lieutenant Forbes’ great personal courage and superior professional leadership resulted in the complete rout of a larger size enemy force who left behind many dead and wounded along with numerous weapons while his platoon suffered a minimum of casualties. Lieutenant Forbes’ unquestionable valor in close combat against a numerically superior hostile force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Task Force OREGON, and the United States Army.