The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Larry W. Hall, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 15 May 1975, while attached to and serving in U.S.S. HENRY B. WILSON (DDG-7), while engaged in the recovery of S.S. MAYAGUEZ, which had been seized in the Gulf of Thailand by units of the Cambodian Navy. With U.S. Marine and Air Force survivors in the water endangered by enemy fire from Kho Tang Island, Lieutenant Hall volunteered as Officer-in-Charge of the ship’s gig to assist in their rescue. During this mission, he was instrumental in the gig’s crew rescuing the thirteen Marine and Air Force personnel. On two other separate occasions, he maneuvered the gig into positions well within the lethal range of enemy gunners, both drawing and suppressing the hostile fire that otherwise would have been directed at the helicopters attempting to extricate U.S. Marines trapped and pinned down on the Island. Lieutenant Hall continually delivered accurate suppression fire in the face of intense, hostile automatic weapons fire until the withdrawal was complete and the enemy positions silenced. By his courageous actions, resourcefulness, and inspiring devotion to duty in the face of grave personal risks, Lieutenant Hall reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.