The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to Lieutenant Commander Francis Eugene Rhodes, Jr. (NSN: 0-552977), United States Navy, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with River Assault Squadron ELEVEN, Task Force ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEEN (TF-117), in action on the Snog Ny Thu River on 19 June 1967, in the Republic of Vietnam. In the early afternoon, a nearby infantry unit came under intense automatic and small arms fire from a large Viet Cong force. Taking shelter behind several rice paddy dikes, the Company Commander put in a call for evacuation helicopters for those hit by the initial blast. Several helicopters came in to evacuate the wounded, but they were downed by enemy fire upon takeoff. Commander Rhodes was shown which enemy bunkers were keeping the evacuation helicopters down. Commander Rhodes then backed his vessel up and made a run for the sandbar. Succeeding in crossing it, he immediately closed with the enemy and directed 40 millimeter fire on all bunkers in the area. After several minutes, all fire from the enemy bunkers ceased, allowing the wounded to be evacuated. Commander Rhodes’ bravery, despite grave danger, enabled the besieged company to move to the river for extraction and undoubtedly resulted in the saving of many lives. Commander Rhodes’ heroic actions in close combat with an armed hostile force are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Navy.