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 Richard R. Gabbard (ASN: US-52654462), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force on 11 January 1967 while serving as a driver of a weapons carrier with Battery D (Machine Gun), 71st Artillery in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Specialist Gabbard was assigned the mission of providing ground support to an infantry company from the 9th Infantry Division. As the infantry unit was crossing an open rice paddy in the vicinity of Vin Loc, two platoons were attacked by intense automatic weapons and small arms fire from well concealed Viet Cong positions in a nearby woodline. As Battery D moved forward to aid the hapless soldiers, Specialist Gabbard moved from his driver’s position to the rear of the vehicle where he assisted in delivering accurate suppressive fire on the enemy positions. While remaining exposed to intense enemy fire directed toward his position, Specialist Gabbard learned that a reinforcement unit was running low on ammunition and that a wounded soldier could not be evacuated due to the heavy fire. Disregarding his own personal safety, he ran and crawled more than three hundred meters completely exposed to the hostile bullets, to aid his fallen comrade. Returning with the wounded soldier, he was forced to take cover on three separate occasions before reaching medical facilities where he assisted in applying first aid. Specialist Gabbard’s valorous actions in close combat with an enemy force were responsible for saving the life of his wounded comrade. Specialist Fourth Class Gabbard’s personal bravery was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.