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 Walter Gutzan (ASN: US-51601506), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Specialist Fourth Class Gutzan distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 31 May 1967, while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), during combat operations near the village of An Qui, Republic of Vietnam. When his company came into contact with a heavily entrenched, numerically superior North Vietnamese Army unit, one platoon became pinned down and the others were heavily engaged with the hostile force. In the initial burst of fire several members of Specialist Gutzan’s platoon were wounded and had to be evacuated. Moving forward to cover the evacuation of the wounded, Specialist Gutzan ignored the enemy fire hitting all around him and raked the enemy positions with suppressive fire. Discovering several hostile positions on his right flank, Specialist Gutzan braved the heavy automatic weapons fire and single-handedly assaulted several of the bunkers, destroying them with hand grenades and extremely accurate rifle fire. Wounded himself by an enemy hand grenade, Specialist Gutzan continued his aggressive assault until medical evacuation became a necessity. Even then, he exposed himself again to the hostile fire to help a more seriously wounded comrade to the medical evacuation helicopter. Specialist Gutzan’s courageous and aggressive action is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.