The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Lester D. Barton (ASN: 327326132), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant First Class Barton distinguished himself by intrepid actions on 11 November 1969 while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion (Airmobile), 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, during an enemy attack on Landing Zone Jerri, Republic of Vietnam. When the landing zone came under intense rocket and mortar attack, Sergeant First Class Barton left the safety of his bunker and moved through the hail of hostile fire administering first aid to the wounded. Throughout the night he went from position to position with complete disregard for his own safety, assisting numerous casualties and evacuating them to safety. Sergeant First Class Barton’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against an armed hostile force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.