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 Alvaro M. Martinez (ASN: US-54508522), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force on 21 March 1968 in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Martinez distinguished himself by intrepid actions while serving as a squad leader in Company D, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 198th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. On that date, his unit was participating in a combined infantry-armored cavalry operation in Duy Xuyen District. As the force neared the hamlet of Ap Bon (1), they suddenly came under intense small arms, automatic weapons, and rocket fire from an enemy force of undetermined size located in fortified positions around the outskirts of the hamlet. Sergeant Martinez immediately moved to the front of his platoon to direct the movement of his men and to locate the enemy positions. While his men provided cover fire, Sergeant Martinez swiftly advanced on the enemy bunkers and personally destroyed them with his accurate fire and hand grenades. Through his courageous actions, he personally knocked out three enemy positions and killed our enemy soldiers before returning to the rear for more ammunition. Heavily laden with grenades, Sergeant Martinez quickly ran through a withering hail of enemy fire to resume his assault on the enemy positions. Displaying tremendous determination and professional ability, he again moved against the enemy positions. Displaying tremendous determination and professional ability, he again moved against the enemy positions, destroying four additional bunkers. Sergeant Martinez’ unquestionable valor while in close combat with a numerically superior enemy 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.