The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Staff Sergeant Buddy Wright (ASN: RA-15697945), United States Army, for heroism in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Wright distinguished himself while serving as a Squad Leader with Company D, 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. On 22 September 1968, Sergeant Wright was on a patrol near Duc Lap providing rear security for his unit when he was captured by a small North Vietnamese unit. On the fifth night of his confinement, Sergeant Wright was able to free himself from his bonds. As he slipped out of the North Vietnamese Camp, he stepped on a branch which aroused the enemy guards. Hearing the enemy rifle bolts go forward, Sergeant Wright ran from the camp and hid in the dense jungle. As the enemy searched the jungle, Sergeant Wright used his knowledge of the jungle to avoid recapture. During the subsequent ten days, he wandered through the jungle without food or water. Surviving through his ingenuity and ability to find food and water in the jungle, Sergeant Wright finally reached a friendly unit. Staff Sergeant Wright’s professional skill, determination and exemplary devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.