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 Specialist Fourth Class Fred H. Pazmino (ASN: RA-11962413), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Company B, 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Group, 18th Military Police Brigade, in the Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Fourth Class Pazmino distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 23 February 1969 as a member of a squad searching for the remnants of an enemy force which had attacked Long Binh Post the previous night. As the men were sweeping the southern portion of Hill 23, they point man was shot and the entire patrol was pinned down by heavy automatic weapons fire. Specialist Pazmino moved with two other men toward the enemy machine gun, coming within thirty meters of the hostile emplacement before he was wounded in the hand and arm by shrapnel. Ignoring his painful injuries, he continued to advance and helped destroy the position with rifle fire and grenades. Specialist Pazmino next volunteered to rescue the stricken point man and, together with another soldier, succeeded in bringing the casualty to the bottom of the hill despite the heavy enemy fire. A helicopter attempted to evacuate the injured man, but it was driven away by a barrage of rocket propelled grenades. Exposing himself to the communists’ fusillade, Specialist Pazmino drove a jeep to the hill and took the point man to a hospital. He then returned to the battle with re-supplies of ammunition and grenades for his comrades, remaining until the hill was captured. Specialist Fourth Class Pazmino’s gallant actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.