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 Thomas Winston Mundell, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Mundell distinguished himself on 20 January 1972 while serving as Observer aboard an OH-6 helicopter in a Pink Team, Troop A, 2d Squadron (Airmobile), 17th Cavalry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, during a visual reconnaissance near Fire Base PIKE, Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Mundell’s aircraft was reconnoitering low level over known enemy positions when there was a sudden explosion in the cockpit area, extensively damaging the aircraft and rendering the pilot unconscious. Sergeant Mundell took the controls but was unable to gain altitude so he flew the aircraft away from the hazardous area and made a forced landing in some trees on a steep slope. He pulled the semi-conscious pilot from the aircraft which was full of smoke from smoke grenades which had ignited on impact. The UH-1H recovery aircraft was hovering overhead with a rescue rope. While receiving sporadic small arms fire, Sergeant Mundell tied the injured pilot to the rope and signaled the aircraft to depart. The pilot of the recovery aircraft refused to depart without Sergeant Mundell. He tied himself to the rope and the downed crew were flown to flat terrain and placed inside the recovery aircraft. Sergeant Mundell’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.