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 Chief Warrant Officer Laird Pearson Osburn, United States Army, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life while serving with the 146th Aviation Company, in the Republic of Vietnam, on 12 February 1969, and during the ensuing period of captivity that ended on 19 February 1969. On 12 February 1969, while serving on a classified airborne mission over the Republic of Vietnam, the plane which Warrant Officer Osburn was piloting. Came under hostile fire and was forced to land in hostile territory. Warrant Officer Osburn, knowing the potential loss to the United States effort in Vietnam if the enemy came into possession of the aircraft, took up a defensive position near the aircraft. In the ensuing intense fire fight, Warrant Officer Osburn took a determined stand with a small caliber weapon. He and his fellow crew members fought valiantly until they were sure that the sensitive aircraft had been destroyed. After the aircraft’s destruction, they continued to fire at the enemy in hope that the numerically superior force could be held at bay until rescue attempts could be undertaken. Finally, out of ammunition, Warrant Officer Osburn and his fellow crew members were captured. Warrant Officer Osburn, after capture, resisted all interrogation concerning his mission or activities aboard the aircraft. By his courageous action and humanitarian regard for his fellow man, in the dedication of his service to his country, Warrant Officer Osburn has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Army.