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 Donald Black (ASN: US-52688035), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force on 21 March 1968 in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Black distinguished himself by intrepid actins while serving as a rifleman in the Reconnaissance Platoon, Company E, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 198th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division during a combined infantry-armored cavalry sweep in Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam Province. While searching the hamlet of Ap Bon (1), his platoon suddenly came under intense fire from an enemy force of undetermined size. As the enemy fire increased in intensity, it became necessary for his unit to move back to permit supporting fire to be placed on the enemy’s fortified position; however, several of the elements were unable to move from their position. After locating four other en from the platoon who were also pinned down, Sergeant Black immediately took charge and began leading them to rejoin the main body and to continue their mission of closing with the enemy. As his element moved back, they were quickly joined by other elements until they reached the rest of the platoon. The initiative and indomitable courage displayed by Sergeant Black contributed immeasurably to the rapid regrouping of the platoon and to the ultimate defeat of a determined and numerically superior enemy force. Sergeant Black’s unquestionable valor in close combat with a numerically superior enemy force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military and reflect great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.