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 Staff Sergeant Henry Lorand Willis (ASN: RA-14767890), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Staff Sergeant Willis distinguished himself by heroic action on 30 January 1968 while serving as Medical Advisor to Tuy Hoa District, Phu Yen Province, Republic of Vietnam. On that date, elements of a North Vietnamese Army regiment occupied the hamlet of Binh Tinh. A combined Vietnamese Regional Forces and United States Army unit encircled the enemy force and Sergeant Willis accompanied the Tuy Hoa District Advisory Team and the District Chief to the scene of the action. In the fierce fighting that ensued, an American soldier received a serious head wound. Reacting immediately, Sergeant Willis rushed across an open field through intense enemy small arms fire to the side of the stricken man. Recklessly exposing himself to fierce enemy fire, he pulled the man to a covered position and administered life saving first aid. Sergeant Willis then organized available personnel and supervised the evacuation of the patient. As the day progressed, the fighting grew in intensity and Sergeant Willis repeatedly exposed himself to merciless enemy fire to administer aid and evacuate wounded Vietnamese soldiers. His quick actions resulted in the evacuation of five wounded soldiers. Staff Sergeant Willis’ conspicuous 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.