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) Barry Alan Nason (ASN: OF-107869), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. Captain Nason distinguished himself by gallantry in action on 16 July 1968, while serving as Senior Advisor, 43d Ranger Battalion, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. On that date, the battalion was preparing night defensive positions in Tri Ton District, Chau Doc Province, when it was attacked by an enemy force of unknown size. Disregarding the heavy volume of hostile fire, Captain Nason left his cover and began moving around the perimeter to survey the situation. After requesting air support, he was painfully wounded by an enemy rocket, but continued to move around the perimeter to the portion that was receiving the bulk of the enemy fire. After assuming a forward exposed position, he located the hostile automatic weapons emplacements and directed the gunships to the general area. Realizing that he could not accurately direct the supporting fire of the gunships from his position, he again moved forward into an open rice paddy and fired tracer rounds at the enemy positions thereby directing the gunships. Despite the tracers disclosing his position to the enemy, who subsequently saturated the area with automatic weapons fire, Captain Nason remained in position and directed effective strikes on the hostile forces, causing them to withdraw with heavy casualties. His selfless bravery in the face of overwhelming odds averted possible disaster to the battalion. Captain Nason’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.