The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Fireman Adrian Ealon Howell (NSN: 9186686), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 4 December 1967, during riverine assault operations against communist insurgents in the Republic of Vietnam. As port well deck thirty-caliber machine gunner aboard Armored Troop Carrier (ATC) 111-8, a unit of River Assault Squadron ELEVEN, operating in support of the 5th Battalion Vietnamese Division, Fireman Howell participated in Mobile Riverine Force Operation CORONADO IX in the Mekong Delta region. His unit’s three-fold mission was to transport U.S. Army and Vietnamese Marine personnel to the operations area, to provide them with close fire support, and to perform blocking operations to prevent the enemy’s escape. While proceeding up the Rach Ruong Canal, ATC 111-8 came under heavy rocket, recoilless rifle, machine gun, and small arms fire from prepared enemy positions along both sides of the canal. Fireman Howell commenced firing immediately and maintained a deadly suppressive fire into the enemy positions from his semi-exposed position in the well deck. Although his boat was under intense fire, and had sustained several rocket hits, he continued to fire his machine gun until it was knocked out by a direct hit from an enemy B-40 rocket, which resulted in his death. Fireman Howell’s outstanding valor and inspiring devotion to duty in the face of intense enemy fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.