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 Rubin R. Beckman (ASN: RA-18425826), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force, on 11 May 1968, while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Battery B, 5th Battalion (Automatic Weapons) (Self Propelled), 2d Artillery, II Field Force, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Sergeant Beckman was in charge of two armored vehicles whose mission was perimeter security of Fire Support Base Pike VI. During the early morning hours, the fire support base camp came under heavy enemy mortar, anti-tank rocket fire, followed by a ground attack from an unknown-size force. During the initial attack, Sergeant Beckman ordered his men to mount the armored vehicles and return the enemy fire with 40 millimeter guns. Observing that the enemy had advanced to within 100 meters of his position and realizing that there were too many to engage with the 40 millimeter guns alone, Sergeant Beckman jumped from his armored vehicle and manned an M-60 machine gun which he noticed in an unprotected position near the vehicle. After both armored vehicles had been disabled by anti-tank rockets and several crewmen were wounded, Sergeant Beckman detonated three Claymore anti-personnel mines and rushed to the aid of his men. Through the intense enemy fire, he guided two dazed crewmen to the relative safety of a howitzer position, then, with complete disregard for his personal safety, Sergeant Beckman ran back through the devastating enemy fire to remove the remaining seriously wounded crewmen from the armored vehicles. Upon returning to the howitzer, Sergeant Beckman directed artillery fire into his former position. Throughout the remainder of the battle, Sergeant Beckman assisted the howitzer crew in loading ammunition. His leadership and initiative contributed greatly to the successful defense of the fire support base. Sergeant First Class Beckman’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.