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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Earl Bleacher, United States Army, for gallantry in action on 21 November 1970 as a member of an all-volunteer joint U.S. Army and Air Force raiding force in the Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed heliborne assault mission to rescue United States military personnel held as prisoners of war at Son Tay prison in North Vietnam. This valiant effort was motivated by deep compassion for his imprisoned fellow men-at-arms, and by a strong sense of military duty and national pride. Sergeant Bleacher led his fire element in the initial combat assault on the objective. Fighting valiantly, with disregard for his own safety, he continually exposed himself to hostile automatic weapons fire. On several occasions, Sergeant Bleacher was confronted by armed enemy personnel while attempting to secure the platoon’s withdrawal route. Through application of swift and positive action, he eliminated the threats and ensured the success of his element’s mission accomplishment without the loss of a single life. Sergeant Bleacher’s extraordinary heroism against an armed hostile force, and extreme devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself and the United States Army.