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 Earl Wright (ASN: RA-28971071), United States Army, for gallantry involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Wright distinguished himself while serving as a Tank Commander of Company M, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, while participating in a convoy moving along Highway 1 near the village of Soui Cat, Vietnam. The convoy was suddenly engaged by an estimated battalion of Viet Cong firing recoilless rifles, rockets, mortars, automatic weapons, and small arms from well fortified positions. Sergeant Wright was commanding the only tank in the convoy, and it received a direct hit from an enemy recoilless rifle round that destroyed the .50 caliber machine gun and wounded him painfully. Despite his wounds, Sergeant Wright alertly detected the position of the recoilless rifle and fired a 90 millimeter round at it, killing three insurgents and capturing the weapon. Sergeant Wright’s vehicle continued to receive numerous anti-tank rounds as he attempted valiantly to probe hostile positions. Yet another enemy round struck the tank, blinding the gunner and sending large piece of shrapnel into Sergeant Wright’s legs. Physically removing the searing shrapnel, Sergeant Wright courageously poured a heavy volume of fire upon the fanatically attacking enemy with his caliber .45 pistol. He quickly performed repair work upon the damaged main gun and then verbally directed his blinded gunner to suppress enemy positions. Sergeant Wright’s vehicle absorbed 30 anti-tank hits, yet he managed to thwart every attempt by the Viet Cong to capture the tank. After repelling the enemy, Sergeant Wright bravely disregarded his own wounds and attempted to comfort two of his dying crew members. Sergeant Wright’s heroic actions in close combat with a hostile force are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.