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 Platoon Sergeant John R. Poso (ASN: RA-19478538), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force on 8 February 1968 in the Republic of Vietnam. Platoon Sergeant Poso distinguished himself by intrepid actions while serving as a Platoon Sergeant for the 2d Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 198th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. On that date, his company was going to the aid of a Marine unit just south of DaNang when they became pinned down by a devastating barrage of rocket, mortar, and automatic weapons fire from an estimated battalion of North Vietnamese Regulars. Sergeant Poso immediately began moving from position to position to account for all the members of his platoon and to give them encouragement. When his platoon leader gave the command to withdraw to a more secure area, Sergeant Poso again exposed himself to the hostile fire to effectively direct he wounded men of his platoon to the designated area. He then, along with 12 other men of the platoon, formed an unyielding defensive line to hold off the enemy and allow for the withdrawal of the wounded soldiers. Sergeant Poso and his comrades brought effective suppressive fire upon the enemy, killing more than 60 North Vietnamese soldiers who were using human wave tactics in their attempt to overrun the friendly positions. Sergeant Poso displayed extraordinary valor during extremely close-quarter fighting before he was mortally wounded. Platoon Sergeant Poso’s unquestionable heroism in close combat against a numerically superior hostile force was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.