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 Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Henry Lawrence Davisson, Jr., United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Lieutenant Colonel Davisson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as Commanding Officer of the 2d Battalion, 2d Infantry Regiment (Mechanized), 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near the Song Be River, on 2 July 1968. While commanding a reconnaissance battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Davisson ordered his helicopter to make a landings, switching his command post to an armored personnel carrier. Although fully exposed to the intense enemy small arms and rocket fire, Colonel Davisson advanced into the thick of the battle so that he could best assess the situation and control his men. With complete disregard for personal safety, he continually moved from one position to another, encouraging men and directing their fire with maximum effectiveness. Under his leadership, his men drove back the numerically superior Viet Cong. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Davisson, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.