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) Dean Richard Loftin (ASN: OF-104873), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Captain Loftin distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, as Senior Battalion Advisor, 3d Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 22d Infantry Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. On that date, the Battalion was given the mission of dislodging a large enemy force located in the vicinity of Ninh Tinh Hamlet. While advancing toward their objective, the battalion’s advance was stopped by overwhelming firepower from a well-entrenched enemy. Captain Loftin immediately advised his counterpart to request airstrikes and armored personnel carrier support. Upon arrival of the supporting aircraft, Captain Loftin unhesitatingly exposed himself to withering small arms fire to spot targets. With the arrival of the requested armored personnel carriers, the attack was reinitiated. During the assault, the left flank carrier was struck by a powerful rocket. With utter disregard for his personal safety, Captain Loftin rushed through intense small arms fire to rescue a seriously wounded crewman from the disabled and burning vehicle. Noting a distinct slowdown in the attack, Captain Loftin again exposed himself to intense hostile fire to go from man to man encouraging and rallying the soldiers. Largely through his daring efforts, the assault was continued and the objective secured. A second objective was then assigned and Captain Loftin again voluntarily moved to the center of the fiercest fighting to encourage the engaged soldiers to advise his counterpart. Captain Loftin’s brave actions and personal courage so encouraged the soldiers that they successfully took all objectives and inflicted punishing blows on a strong and determined enemy force. Captain Loftin’s conspicuous gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.