The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Hospitalman Loring William Carper, Jr. (NSN: 6894313), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against a hostile force while serving as a Hospitalman for a twenty-man reconnaissance platoon of First Force Reconnaissance Company, FIRST Marine Division, in the Hue/Phu Bai area, Republic of Vietnam, on the afternoon of 17 May 1966. During an attack by enemy Viet Cong forces, one of the Marines fell critically wounded. Displaying a complete disregard for his own safety, Hospitalman Carper, in the midst of the fire fight, unhesitatingly answered the call of “Corpsman” and maneuvered forward. As he reached the side of the wounded Marine, he was hit by small arms fire and in a final act of selfless uncommon heroism, placed his body atop that of the wounded Marine, protecting him from further fire. Hospitalman Carpet gallantly gave his life in the service of his country and for a fallen comrade, upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.