The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major Nguyen Duc Loi, Army of the Republic of Vietnam, for gallantry in action on 23 June 1965, while serving as Troop Commander of the 4th Troop, 3d Armored Cavalry Squadron, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. Major Loi was moving his Troop on a search and clear operation into Chan Thanh Hamlet, Son Thanh Village, Son Tinh District, Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam, when heavy contact was made with the enemy who were well established in fortified positions inside the hamlet. Realizing the situation was critical, due to the enemy being armed with anti-tank weapons and being in close proximity to the Armed Personnel Carriers, he ordered the troops to dismount and completely disregarding the heavy enemy fire and his personal safety, he personally led an attack on the enemy bunkers. He was continually in the forefront of the attack directing the movement and actions of his troops while hurling hand grenades into the fortified positions. After a portion of the hamlet had been cleared of the enemy, Major Loi determined that the heavy enemy fire still being received was coming from a trench line across a small open field on the edge of the hamlet. He ordered the troops to mount the carriers and assault the position. As Major Loi was leading the assault in front of his troops, he was critically wounded. Prior to being evacuated, unmindful of his own condition and thinking of his troops and mission first, he requested the Troop Advisor to see that all his wounded were evacuated and to make sure the Troop kept the enemy engaged and cleared the hamlet of the enemy. Major Loi later died at the hospital from his wound. Major Loi’s inspiring leadership and aggressive example caused his troops to rout a well-disciplined and well-armed enemy from their fortified positions. Major Loi’s conduct under heavy enemy fire reflects great credit upon himself, the military service and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam.