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 Private First Class David Baker (ASN: US-51977671), United States Army, for gallantry in action on 20 March 1967, while serving as a rifleman with Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), during an engagement with a numerically superior enemy force near the village of Tan An, Republic of Vietnam. As Private First Class Baker’s company moved out to set up a blocking position, it received heavy enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire from the village and a treeline. The lead platoon received the brunt of the attack, suffering several casualties in the initial burst of fire. Learning that the wounded men were pinned down by the intense fire, Private First Class Baker, with complete disregard for his own safety, dashed forward to assist the medical aidmen in carrying three of the wounded to a safe position. Shortly afterwards, Private First Class Baker took over the machine gun when the gunner was hit. Realizing that the wounded gunner could not be properly treated and evacuated due to the heavy volume of fire being placed on his position, Private First Class Baker moved the weapon to an exposed position and placed suppressive fire on the enemy enabling the aidman to assist his fallen comrade. Private First Class Baker’s gallant action is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.