The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant David E. Piersee (ASN: RA-15925795), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Piersee distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 9 July 1968, while serving as an Acting Platoon Sergeant with Company C, 2d Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, on a reconnaissance in force mission in Long An Province, Vietnam. When his three-man point element came under intense fire from three enemy bunkers, Sergeant Piersee repeatedly exposed himself in order to place suppressive fire on the emplacements, enabling the other members of this point element to advance and destroy the bunkers with grenades. The contact with the enemy, under his direction, resulted in the capture of seven weapons, several documents and a large amount of North Vietnamese Army equipment. Sergeant Piersee’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against a Viet Cong force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, the 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.