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 Staff Sergeant Michael G. Stahl (ASN: RA-14822549), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Detachment A-102, Company C, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Stahl distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 23 December 1967, as Special Forces Advisor to a Vietnamese combat patrol. While preparing his men for an assault, unexpected and extremely accurate enemy automatic weapons fire cut a swath through the lead element of his patrol, killing one soldier and wounding two. Sergeant Stahl leaped over a hedgerow and single-handedly assaulted the enemy position, killing its occupant with rifle fire. As he was returning to his troops, they were hit by another heavy volley of enemy fire, seriously wounding another Vietnamese. Ignoring the fusillade, Sergeant Stahl rushed to the fallen soldier, carried him to a safe position, and treated him. He then directed his force’s assault on the insurgents, routing them from the area. Staff Sergeant Stahl’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Michael G. Stahl (ASN: RA-14822549), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Command and Control North Detachment, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant First Class Stahl distinguished himself on 8 August 1970 while leading a long range reconnaissance patrol during exploitation operations deep within enemy controlled territory. During the early afternoon hours of the above date, the allied patrol came under an intense enemy attack while situated in their day defensive position. Sergeant Stahl was wounded in the initial burst of hostile fire but managed to maintain complete control of his team and immediately directed their fire against the enemy while simultaneously requesting allied air support. Ignoring his wounds, the sergeant skillfully directed the overhead air assets on the enemy force while he continued to direct the defensive fire of his men. When he became to weak to effectively utilize his radio, Sergeant Stahl relinquished it to the assistant team leader and immediately began signaling overheat aircraft with a mirror in order to pinpoint the position of the allies. Upon arrival of evacuation helicopters, he led his men through the fusillade of enemy fire to a landing zone for extraction. Although under continuous enemy fire, Sergeant Stahl insured that all of the wounded team members were aboard the rescue aircraft before consenting to his own extraction. Sergeant First Class Stahl’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.