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 pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class Oscar Barker, Jr. (ASN: 14709494), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy on 17 November 1965, in the Ia Drang Valley, Republic of Vietnam while serving as a Rifleman in 2d Platoon, Company A, 2d Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). During the Battle of Landing Zone Albany in the Ia Drang Valley, Specialist Barker was wounded early in the attack but he refused to withdraw from the fight to tend to his wounds. Throughout the battle, he continuously exposed himself to intense enemy fire as he furiously fought the enemy. Specialist Barker defied heavy enemy attacks directed at him to lay down deadly automatic gun fire at the enemy, which allowed other Soldiers to withdraw to safer positions where they could continue to fight. As enemy forces closed in, he refused directions to withdraw to a safer location, and took charge by encouraging Soldiers and physically assisting them in moving to safer locations from which to continue the fight, stopping to dress wounds and return fire along the way. Specialist Barker rallied his squad, inflicted heavy damage upon enemy forces and saved the lives of several Soldiers before he was mortally wounded. The gallantry displayed by Specialist Fourth Class Barker was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 7th Cavalry, and the United States Army.