The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Donald Ernest Heggan (ASN: 0-5342055), United States Army, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action on 20 July 1968, in the Republic of Vietnam. On that date, Lieutenant Heggan was serving as a Platoon Leader with his unit during a platoon size combat patrol near the Song Be River. As the men proceeded toward their objective area, they were suddenly subjected to rocket and automatic weapons fire by a large Viet Cong force. Lieutenant Heggan immediately advanced to the point of heaviest enemy contact, and braving the hail of hostile rounds, deployed his men into good firing positions. He continuously moved from one position to another to encourage his men and personally direct their fire on the insurgents for maximum effectiveness. As a result of his competent leadership, the initial enemy assault was effectively repelled and the Viet Cong suffered numerous casualties. Lieutenant Heggan observed a member of his platoon lying wounded in an open area, and with complete disregard for his personal safety, he maneuvered through the concentrated hostile fire to aid his comrade. As he was moving the individual to a protected location Lieutenant Heggan was mortally wounded by shrapnel from an impacting enemy rocket. His extraordinary example of selfless courage and initiative inspired the members of his platoon to continue fighting vigorously through a second Viet Cong assault which was repelled at great cost to the insurgents. First Lieutenant Heggan’s unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.