The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Quartermaster First Class Luciant Highlander, Jr., United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 30 April 1968 while attached to the Lighterage Branch, Operations division, United States Naval Support Activity, DaNang, Republic of Vietnam. As Craftmaster of LCU 1485, Petty Officer Highlander was tasked to deliver essential combat cargo to the Free World Military Forces at the river port of Dong Ha. At 0815, while following LCU 1477 in transit on the Cua Viet River, his craft came under fire from firmly entrenched enemy forces on the banks of the river. His craft received a direct hit with a rocket round, but he immediately opened fire on the enemy position. Just as the LCU 1477 commenced to open fire, it was hit, killing three wounding six of its crew. The LCU 1477 went out of control, and to avoid collision with the barge it was towing, the barge was cut loose. The drifting barge and shallowness of the river created a very hazardous situation, but Petty Officer Highlander skillfully maneuvered his craft past the barge into a position to divert enemy fire from the LCU 1477. There he remained, directing suppressive fire until Petty Officer Highlander’s craft received three additional rocket hits, but this did not deter him in his highly effective spotting and directing of fire which caused several secondary explosions and five confirmed kills of North Vietnamese Regulars. His devotion to duty, courage under fire, and outstanding professionalism was in keeping with the highest tradition of the United States Naval Service.