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 Burl E. Hill (ASN: US-54438770), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Hill distinguished himself by valiant actions on 8 February 1968 while serving as a team leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 198th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. On that date, the company was heavily engaged with a reinforced battalion of North Vietnamese Army Regulars and was under heavy, accurate mortar and small arms fire which inflicted numerous casualties. Sergeant Hill was on the far left flank of the company, and when they were given the command to withdraw, he discovered that the enemy had cut off his route of withdrawal. Observing that the 2d Platoon had suffered severe casualties, Sergeant Hill went to their aid, moving from position to position to administer first aid and engage several of the hostile emplacements. Sergeant Hill courageously directed a withering hail of fire upon the insurgents who at times advanced to within 10 meters of his position. During the three-hour battle, he was credited with numerous enemy kills and was responsible for saving many lives. Sergeant Hill’s unquestionable valor in close combat against a numerically superior hostile force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.