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 Sergeant Curtis E. Hester, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy as a Patrol Leader in a reconnaissance team with Company D (Ranger), 151st Infantry Regiment, on 14 August 1969 in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while deployed in an ambush position, his team spotted two enemy soldiers moving in the area. After the team had observed the enemy movement for approximately an hour and a half, the hostile element had increased in size to over 30 troops. Upon realizing that the enemy had noted the presence of his team, Sergeant Hester called in helicopter gunship support. Suddenly, the hostile force moved into an assault formation and began advancing toward the five-man element. Sergeant Hester quickly threw a smoke grenade to mark the enemy position and directed the gunships to begin their assaults. As the hostile troops began firing small arms, automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades, he went in a kneeling position and opened fire with his machine gun. In spite of the enemy fusillade and a wound that he received when a rocket-propelled grenade exploded nearby, Sergeant Hester continued placing suppressive fire on the enemy and adjusting the rocket and mini-gun fire of the helicopter gunships. As a result of his calm and skillful leadership, the hostile force broke contact and fled, leaving behind one prisoner and a large quantity of equipment and supplies. Sergeant Hester’s outstanding courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.