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 Sergeant First Class Dan Wagner, Jr. (ASN: RA-15546691), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Forward Operational Base Number Two, Command and Control Detachment, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant First Class Wagner distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 15 December 1967 while serving as patrol leader of a long range reconnaissance team operating in enemy controlled territory. His team was infiltrated into an area containing major enemy troop concentrations and installations, with the mission of locating them and destroying them with tactical air strikes. Although the patrol was discovered and pursued, Sergeant Wagner declined to call for evacuation and expertly maneuvered his team to evade the enemy. During this movement, he pinpointed several large troop concentrations. He then led the patrol to high ground and requested fighter aircraft. As he directed devastating air strikes on the hostile forces and equipment, the team suddenly began receiving intense fire from an enemy unit which had followed the patrol’s maneuver. Sergeant Wagner alertly diverted the air strikes to the attackers. Exposed to a savage hail of bullets, he continued to direct the fighter aircraft until the insurgents fled in disorder. Sergeant Wagner was mortally wounded by sniper fire while skillfully adjusting lethal air strikes on the routed enemy. His courageous actions saved the lives of his comrades and enabled them to complete the mission. Sergeant First Class Wagner’s gallantry in action, at the cost of his life, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.