The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Brigadier General Do Ke Giai, Army of the Republic of Vietnam, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations in the Republic of Vietnam, on 1 and 2 February 1968. Serving as the Commanding General of the 18th Infantry Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam, general Giai demonstrated courage and professional competence in thwarting a Viet Cong attack on the village of Xuan Loc, 18th Division headquarters and capital of Long Khanh Province. On the afternoon of 1 February 1968, General Giai learned of the presence of three enemy battalions poised for a heavy attack on the outskirts of Xuan Loc. Without hesitation General Giai boldly and swiftly mobilized, deployed, and redeployed his troops into positions so as to trap and annihilate the enemy. He moved one platoon of artillery into firing positions within the village and replaced them with one infantry battalion of the 43d Regiment on the eastern perimeter. Having only limited forces due to the TET holiday season, General Giai carefully utilized every available soldier by placing them in strategic checkpoints and likely avenues of enemy approach in order to block a penetration of the village and positioned troops inside and on the roof of key buildings in order to weed out the Viet Cong infiltrators. When the enemy did launch his attack at approximately 2015 hours, 1 February 1968, he was confused and surprised by the positions, strength, and determination of General Giai’s forces. General Giai personally directed the battle from various locations within the village. When it was reported that the Viet Cong were using the main Catholic church as their headquarters and taking refuge behind a screen of innocent civilians, General Giai raced from the Tactical Operations Center at Division headquarters to the church. Here he cleared civilians away from the area and, exposing himself to fire, personally positioned troops and weapons to fire on the church and root the enemy from their sanctuary. Disregarding his own safety and property he directed fire on his own residence when he discovered that this also was one of the enemy targets. Throughout the night, and under intense enemy fire, General Giai continued to move throughout the area to insure the safety of key installations, such as Sector headquarters, the marketplace, the south gate, the ammunition dump, and Division Headquarters. In this way he was able to keep abreast of the current situation, keep his high headquarters and American counterpart informed, and determine how best to use his organic and supporting arms. The following morning the results of the battle became clear. Due largely to the efforts, courage, and leadership of General Giai, the enemy had suffered a stinging defeat and had fled from the battlefield. By insuring the victory of his troops, General Giai’s conspicuous gallantry is in the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself and his country.