The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major General [then Brigadier General] Nguyen Xuan Thinh, Army of the Republic of Vietnam, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on 4 and 5 May 1968, while serving as Division Commander, 25th Infantry Division (ARVN) and 31st Division Tactical Area Commander, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. On 4 and 5 May, the 31st Division Tactical Area came under intensive enemy attack by Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army units. Ground, mortar, and rocket attacks on all three Provincial capitals and many District towns were the enemy order of the day. The 25th Infantry Division (ARVN) Headquarters was also under heavy attack. General Thinh, with complete disregard for his personal safety, worked hard and long hours in the Division Tactical Operations Center realigning his forces to meet this new enemy onslaught. Several times throughout the night of 4 and 5 May he braved the enemy mortars and small arms fire to make his way from his command post to the Division tactical observation center and, unflinchingly, personally directed the defense of the compound while planning the execution of a counteroffensive to rid Bao Trai, Hau Nghia Province, of a large Viet Cong force which was in the process of overrunning this Provincial Capital. He personally planned the movements of two ARVN battalions and directed the battle for Bao Trai. On 5 May 1968, General Thinh led a few key members of his staff and landed by UH-1D in the center of the fighting. As the group of Vietnamese officers and one American advisor landed and walked 25 meters through a heavy volume of enemy fire to join the command element of defenders, intensive AK-47 and small arms fire was directed at them. General Thinh and his staff continued to move from one unit to another to get a clearer picture of a very untenable and critical situation. With unflinching determination and under continuous enemy small arms fire, General Thinh issued his orders, organized the counterattack forces and by nightfall succeeded in defeating the enemy, killing over 196 Viet Cong/North Vietnamese Army personnel and completely disseminating his attack. During the critical part of the battle, General Thinh, with complete disregard for his personal safety, fearlessly exposed himself to enemy fire and instilled new confidence in his troops. The ARVN victory was due primarily to the personal courage, meticulous and brilliant planning, and confident execution by General Thinh. General Thinh’s gallantry in action and devotion to duty are in the highest traditions of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.