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 Platoon Sergeant Homer Burks (ASN: RA-18450851), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force on 8 February 1968 in the Republic of Vietnam. Platoon Sergeant Burks distinguished himself by intrepid actions while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 198th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. On that date, his company was conducting a search and clear operation of a reinforced Viet Cong battalion which threatened the vast military complex at DaNang. While crossing an open rice paddy to reach a small hamlet, the company suddenly came under heavy enemy automatic weapons and mortar fire from their front and right flank. During the initial action, several members of the lead platoon were killed or wounded and the rest of the company was pinned down. Sergeant Burks and his men immediately began crawling to the rear in search of cover and had moved only 50 meters when the company commander was seriously wounded. Sergeant Burks immediately took control of the men and expertly directed their movement. With complete disregard for his own safety, he went to the aid of his wounded commander and exposed himself to the intense fire while moving him to a safe position. After reorganizing his platoon and setting up a defensive perimeter, Sergeant Burks continued to inform the commander of the situation and redistributed the badly needed ammunition. Throughout the battle, he personally directed the fire of his men and marked targets for gunships while the last of the wounded men were being extracted from the killing zone. Platoon Sergeant Burks’ unquestionable valor while in close combat with a numerically superior enemy force and unselfish concern for his fellow comrades 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.