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 Second Lieutenant (Armor) David Samuel Rowley (ASN: OF-111840), United States Army, for heroism in ground combat against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 20 April 1968. Second Lieutenant Rowley distinguished himself while serving as Platoon Leader with the Second Platoon of Troop B, 2d Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in search of North Vietnamese Army elements near Cao Bang, Republic of Vietnam. The platoon came under automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fire from a woodline bordering the village. Reacting immediately, he ordered a left flank and swept the village on line. This resulted in three North Vietnamese Army soldiers killed. He then ordered a slow sweep, as it was evident that the enemy was hiding in well constructed bunkers. Although the terrain was covered with thick bamboo and hedgerows, Second Lieutenant Rowley maintained excellent control of all his elements. When his right element came under heavy fire, he expertly deployed to support the threatened track. When another track was hit by a rocket propelled grenade, he successfully called in a medical evacuation helicopter, and maintained the momentum of the attack while talking to four differed stations on three different nets. When another track was hit by a rocket, without regard for his own safety, Second Lieutenant Rowley left the track and ran through extremely intense enemy fire to assist in removing the wounded crew. He personally saved one man’s life by holding the plasma bottle, even though he was completely exposed to the enemy fire. Realizing that he was taking too many casualties to justify pressing the attack, he withdrew all his elements. At this point his platoon had accounted for fourteen North Vietnamese soldiers killed and the capture of eight weapons. He called in artillery fires and again attacked the enemy positions, this time reinforced by two more platoons from Troop C. During the entire battle he directed his platoon with admirable presence of mind. He continuously exposed himself to hostile fire while moving from track to track to control his elements, and provided heroic leadership which was inspirational to his men. The battle resulted in thirty-four North Vietnamese killed, six North Vietnamese Army prisoners, and twenty-three weapon’s captured. Second Lieutenant Fowley’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.