The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Hugh Elroy Best, III (ASN: 0-5433360), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam while assigned to Battery A, 2d Battalion, 4th Artillery, 9th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Best distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 25 January 1969 while serving as a Forward Observer with Company C, 5th Battalion, 60th Infantry, on a reconnaissance in force mission northwest of Tan An. After the lead elements of the company became pinned down by a murderous barrage of hostile fire, Lieutenant Best courageously moved forward with the command group to rescue the beleaguered men. When the company commander was mortally wounded, he immediately took command and repeatedly exposed himself to the fusillade as he maneuvered against the enemy emplacements. Upon reaching the forward element, Lieutenant Best began to administer first aid to a stricken soldier, but was then gravely wounded himself. He later succumbed to the wound received during his valiant actions. First Lieutenant Best’s extraordinary heroism in close combat with an armed hostile force was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.