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) John Patrick Nolan (ASN: OF-113790), United States Army, for gallantry in action against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Nolan distinguished himself while serving as Company Commander of Company B, 3d Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 11th Infantry Brigade. On that date, the company was engaged on a combat operation in the highlands southwest of Ha Thanh. As the company was moving up a steep hill, they suddenly came under intense small arms fire and incoming enemy mortar rounds from an enemy force of undetermined size. Completely disregarding his own personal safety, Captain Nolan repeatedly exposed himself to the hostile fire as he maneuvered from positions to position to direct his men’s retaliatory fire. After personally insuring that each element unde3rstood their field of fire, he called for artillery support, forcing the enemy to break contact and withdraw. Observing a group of enemy soldiers fleeing to another position two hundred meters to his left, Captain Nolan immediately maneuvered to higher ground and proceeded to call in more artillery upon the insurgents. He then organized his elements and personally led their assaults, routing the enemy from their positions. Captain Nolan’s timely actions and superior leadership resulted in twenty-two enemy soldiers killed while his company sustained no casualties. Captain Nolan’s personal heroism, professional competence, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.