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 pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Warrant Officer Bruce William Shaffer, United States Army, for gallantry in action against an armed enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Warrant Officer Shaffer distinguished himself by intrepid actions on 19 March 1969 while serving as a Pilot with the 176th Assault Helicopter Company, 14th Combat Aviation Battalion, Americal Division. On that date, a helicopter was downed by hostile ground fire near the village of Thien Phuoc. Receiving word of the incident, Warrant Officer Shaffer immediately flew to the area. Arriving at the location of the wreckage, he teamed up with another helicopter and made repeated passes over the crash site, placing suppressive fire on the insurgents and searching for any survivors. With no sign of life or any communications coming from the downed ship, he prepared to abort the operation when one of his crewmen observed what appeared to be a strobe light coming from the frame of the craft. Taking command of the situation, he descended through a hail of enemy fire and landed near the disabled ship. Despite the heavy volumes of hostile fire directed at his ship, he loaded the survivors aboard and lifted out of the area. Through his timely actions and outstanding flying ability, he was largely responsible for the success of the extraction and undoubtedly saved the lives of the entire crew. Warrant Officer Shaffer’s personal heroism, unselfish concern for his fellow soldiers, and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.