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 Captain (Infantry) Thomas Melvin Schlaak (ASN: 0-89594), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force on 13 May 1967, while assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 327th Infantry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On 13 May 1967, the Weapons Platoon, Company Command Group and an attached C.I.D.G. Platoon came under intense automatic weapons fire from a numerically superior enemy force who had the perimeter surrounded. Captain Schlaak, Company Commander, immediately made an estimate of the situation and realized that his perimeter was in danger of being overrun. He then called for artillery, gun ships and TAC Air while heavy casualties were inflicted on his troops from the blistering enemy fire. The enemy regrouped and charged several of the positions where heavy casualties were inflicted. Captain Schlaak, realizing that his perimeter was in severe danger, bravely rushed forward into the hail of automatic weapons fire to the beleaguered positions. While bullets were kicking up and pitting the ground around him, he personally set the example and shouted encouragement and instructions to his outnumbered men. This brave act and his professional calmness under fire served as inspiration to his men and as a direct result thirteen enemy soldiers were killed and five weapons were captured. Captain Schlaak’s unquestionable valor in close combat against a numerically superior hostile force is in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflects credit upon himself, Task Force OREGON, and the United States Army.