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 pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Richard Elmo Hood, 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. First Lieutenant Hood distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as a Platoon Leader in Company A, 2d Battalion, 503d Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate), in action against the enemy on 22 June 1967. On that date, First Lieutenant Hood’s platoon was in a company movement deep in the jungles of Kontum province. Moving through dense vegetation, the platoon made contact with a North Vietnamese Army unit estimated to be of battalion size, and immediately sustained heavy casualties. Ordering his men to seek cover and set up a defensive perimeter, First Lieutenant Hood moved through the intense incoming enemy automatic weapons fire to insure that his platoon was intact. Through the ensuing seven-hour battle he personally directed the retaliatory fires of his platoon, repeatedly exposing himself to hostile small arms and automatic weapons fire. Although the unit was outnumbered and casualties were beginning to mount, First Lieutenant Hood remained calm regardless of the fact that he lost communications almost immediately. First Lieutenant Hood, realizing that the unit was completely surrounded and out of ammunition, continued to fight the enemy to the last with trip flares, constantly giving words of encouragement to his men. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Hood, 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.