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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) John Loving, United States Army, for gallantry in action: First Lieutenant Loving distinguished himself on 22 October 1969 while serving as the Senior Advisor, Mobile Advisory Team III-66, Advisory Team 90, US Army Advisory Group, III Corps Tactical Zone, US MACV, in the Republic of Vietnam. Lieutenant Loving was one of two American advisors who accompanied Regional Force (RF) Company #234 and #963, which were airlifted to a point near the Cambodian border in order to make a combat sweep toward the border. Immediately upon landing, the RF companies began receiving mortar rounds from an unknown position in Cambodia. As the RF companies advanced on the enemy base camp, they also receive small arms and machine gun fire, which seriously wounded two RF soldiers. Lieutenant Loving called n a dust off helicopter to evacuate the wounded RF solders, and supervised the loading of the RF soldiers while the remaining RF soldiers withdrew. While under intense enemy fire, he calmly called for a fire mission by helicopter gunships, targeting the position of one of the enemy mortar crews, and the gunships silenced the enemy mortar fire. After completing the mission, he and the other advisor quickly caught up with the RF companies, which has sustained two more casualties. Lieutenant Loving again called for a dust off helicopter to evacuate the wounded RF soldiers and he assisted in loading the wounded RF soldiers into the helicopter while enemy mortar rounds exploded near their position. Once the helicopter had left, the called for another fire mission to silence the second enemy mortar crew and again exposed himself to enemy fire in order to cover the withdrawal of the RF companies. First Lieutenant Loving’s conspicuous gallantry in action was in keeping with he highest of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.