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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Gary L. Tucker (ASN: 0-5350951), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Company B, 2d Battalion, 2d Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam on 23 May 1969. On this date, Lieutenant Tucker was serving as platoon leader with his mechanized unit on a reinforcement mission for a friendly unit heavily engaged with a North Vietnamese Army battalion near the village of Minh Duc. Before arriving at the embattled region, Lieutenant Tucker’s platoon was suddenly subjected to an immense automatic weapons, small arms, and rocket propelled grenade fusillade from an estimated North Vietnamese Army platoon. Reacting with tactical deliberation, Lieutenant Tucker immediately deployed his Armored Personnel Carriers into strategic positions and directed their suppressive fire with devastating effects. Although painfully wounded by flying shrapnel, Lieutenant Tucker continued to lead his men on a determined assault of the aggressor emplacements. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Lieutenant Tucker directed his vehicle into the midst of the rocket-propelled grenades and silenced an insurgent position with heavy machine gun fire. His exemplary professionalism and courageous determination significantly contributed to the successful outcome of the encounter and resulted in the death of eight enemy soldiers and the capture of two prisoners. First Lieutenant Tucker’s unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

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 a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Gary L. Tucker (ASN: 0-5350951), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Company B, 2d Battalion, 2d Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam on 24 May 1969. On this date, Lieutenant Tucker was serving as platoon leader with his mechanized unit in a reinforcement mission of a friendly unit heavily engaged with a North Vietnamese Army battalion near the village of Minh Duc. As the friendly force proceeded to the embattled region, it was suddenly subjected to an intense automatic weapons, small arms, and rocket propelled grenade fusillade from an undetermined size North Vietnamese Army unit. Acting with tactical deliberation, Lieutenant Tucker dismounted his track and deployed his men into strategic positions while directing their suppressive fire with devastating effect. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Lieutenant Tucker braved the hostile barrage as he led his men on a determined assault of the aggressor emplacements. Dauntlessly maneuvering from position to position, he ignored his painful wounds as he relayed vital information to his men and organized evacuation teams to care for the wounded. His exemplary professionalism and selfless concern for the welfare of his comrades significantly contributed to the successful outcome of the encounter and were instrumental in saving several friendly lives. First Lieutenant Tucker’s unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.