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 [then Specialist Fourth Class] David F. Bliss (ASN: US-54958419), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Bliss distinguished himself by intrepid actions on 8 February 1968 while serving as a rifleman in Company C, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 198th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. On that date, his company was moving to establish a blocking position near Lien Lac (2) when they suddenly came under intense fire from an enemy force of undetermined size. Immediately, his platoon leader and Sergeant Bliss’ squad moved in an attempt to outflank the enemy who had another platoon pinned down. As they moved towards the pinned down element, several North Vietnamese Army soldiers were chased from cover and engaged with friendly fire. As they approached a hut in a small clearing, the enemy launched an attack on his squad, seriously wounding the platoon leader and squad leader. As Sergeant Bliss’ squad pulled back, two enemy soldiers attacked the wounded squad leader. Disregarding his own safety, Sergeant Bliss ran to aid his comrade and successfully stopped the enemy with his accurate suppressive fire. He then joined a group that was providing cover for the withdrawal back across the open rice paddies. When all of the wounded were safely across, these brave men moved back to safety. Sergeant Bliss’ personal bravery and unselfish concern for his fellow soldiers are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.