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 Klain W. Garriga, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving a Squad Leader of a self-propelled gun of the 1st Battalion (Automatic Weapons) (Self Propelled), 44th Artillery Regiment, 108th Artillery Group, in action near Con Thien, Republic of Vietnam, on 25 November 1968. After providing fire support for a reconnaissance in force operation during the day, Sergeant Garriga and his Duster crew left the infantry and other elements and began the return trip to a lightly held outpost that they were to defend during the night. With darkness quickly approaching he realized there was a possibility of an ambush and elected to drive the lead track himself. Suddenly he and his crew came under intense automatic weapon, rocket-propelled grenade, and small arms fire. A grenade exploded in the driver’s compartment, seriously wounding him and causing him to momentarily lose control of the vehicle. Despite his wounds he regained control of the track, assured that all his men were still on board, and directed them to return fire against the enemy. Skillfully maneuvering his crippled vehicle through the hostile barrage, he drove nearly two miles to the base camp, where he refused medical aid until all his men had been treated. Sergeant Garriga’s gallant actions and selfless devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.