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 Platoon Sergeant Hobart E. Crookham (ASN: RA-45033685), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 2d Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Platoon Sergeant Crookham distinguished himself on 28 May 1966 during a search and destroy mission near Pleiku, Republic of Vietnam. Upon being heli-lifted into the designated landing zone, his unit received intense Viet Cong fire. Unable to reach his platoon leader on the radio, Platoon Sergeant Crookham exposed himself to hostile fire as he worked his way across the open area to the platoon Command Post where he found the platoon leader mortally wounded and the radio operator suffering from multiple wounds. Platoon Sergeant Crookham assaulted the well-entrenched bunker and destroyed the emplacement with a grenade. He then returned to the platoon Command Post and moved the platoon leader and radio operator to an extraction site to await evacuation. He then assumed command of the platoon and continued clearing and securing the landing zone throughout the remainder of the two-day battle. Platoon Sergeant Crookham’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against a numerically superior hostile force was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.