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 Major (Infantry) Kenneth Harold Montgomery (ASN: 0-83382), United States Army, for gallantry in action in the Republic of Vietnam, on 20 May 1969. While serving as S-3, 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division on the cited date, Major Montgomery was flying over Dong Ap Bia Mountain in the northern A Shau Valley in his Command and Control aircraft. When elements of the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment began assault the hill in an attempt to gain possession of this strategic mountain, Major Montgomery watched the deployment of the units from the air. He noticed the attack had stalled due to the heavy fire upon the friendly troops from the enemy positions in fortified bunker areas which had withstood numerous air and artillery strikes. Reacting immediately, Major Montgomery called in accurate artillery fires upon the hostile position. Observing that this tactic had little effect upon the enemy forces, Major Montgomery ordered his aircraft close to the ground in order to better view the target area. Even though a direct target of hostile small arms and automatic weapons fire, Major Montgomery completely disregarded his own personal safety by ordering suppressive fire upon the insurgents from his aircraft. Ascertaining the correct target area, he then called in air strikes upon the enemy positions, further destroying the bunker complex. Stopping the air strikes, Major Montgomery once again ordered his aircraft close to the ground and personally delivered suppressive fire upon the enemy forces from his own weapon. Observing a gap in the enemy’s defenses, Major Montgomery notified the ground commanders and then ordered his aircraft to fly extremely low over the breach in the enemy’s defenses, thereby pinpointing it for the ground commanders. Due to Major Montgomery’s sound judgment, the friendly forces were able to successfully assault the bunker complex and completely destroy it. In addition, Major Montgomery’s courage and dedication were the solo factors enabling the lives of innumerable U.S. personnel to be saved. Major Montgomery’s 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.