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) Rory Antonio Madden (ASN: 0-5329224), United States Army (Reserve), for gallantry in action while engaged in close combat against an armed hostile force while serving with Company C, 2d Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam. First Lieutenant Madden distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 9 October 1967, while serving as the Platoon Leader of a Reconnaissance Platoon on a combat operation in the jungles of Vietnam. As the unit moved through an area of thick vegetation, it suddenly came under an intense volume of automatic and semi-automatic weapons fire from a well-concealed Viet Cong force estimated to be of company size. Seeing two of his men fall wounded in the initial burst of enemy fire, Lieutenant Madden immediately rushed forward to the soldiers in an effort to move them back to a covered position. Although exposing himself to a torrent of enemy fire, Lieutenant Madden bravely advanced forward, pouring a devastating volume of fire on the insurgents. As he neared the position of the two wounded soldiers, Lieutenant Madden was struck by a burst of enemy automatic weapons fire and critically wounded. He was quickly evacuated to a medical facility where he succumbed to his wounds. Lieutenant Madden’s unwavering dedication to the safety of his men and his extreme courage were an inspiration to all those with whom he served and contributed significantly to the overwhelming defeat of the enemy force. First Lieutenant Madden’s extraordinary heroism while engaged in close combat against a numerically superior Viet Cong force was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.