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 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 11 January 1969. On this date, Lieutenant Tucker was serving as a platoon leader with his mechanized company on a battalion-minus reconnaissance in force operation along Highway 13 west of An Loc. After several hours of arduous combat in which his unit had been highly effective in overwhelming an insurgent element, Lieutenant Tucker had mounted his armored vehicle and was about to depart the area of hostile co0ntact when he observed movement in the undergrowth not more than 15 meters from the road where numerous tracks and personnel were located. He immediately directed his machine gunner to place a devastating volume of fire on the position and then dismounted his vehicle and aggressively led his men in an assault on the enemy, killing two of the insurgents./ While moving forward, Lieutenant Tucker observed another enemy soldier who was actively engaged in preparation to fire upon his men. With complete disregard for his personal welfare, Lieutenant Tucker quickly charged the aggressor and beat him to death with his rifle. His courageous initiative, bold determination, and selfless concern for his fellow soldiers significantly contributed to saving the lives of his comrades and the successful accomplishment of his unit’s mission. First Lieutenant Tucker’s unquestionable valor while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an insurgent force 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.