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 Fifth Class Gerald L. Myers, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with the 189th Aviation Company (Assault Helicopter), 1st Aviation Brigade, in the Republic of Vietnam on 7 May 1969. Specialist Fifth Class Myers distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as crew chief on a UH-1H helicopter on a mission to extract a company which had been in heavy contact. He talked his aircraft into the landing zone and suppressed the enemy fire with his machine gun. Though wounded in both legs, he continued to suppress the enemy fire and talk the pilot out of the small landing zone. After receiving first aid, he insisted on staying with his aircraft to finish the mission. Word was received that another friendly unit had one wounded man near death. Specialist Fifth Class Myers volunteered to evacuate the wounded man. He calmly talked the pilot through the intense fire, and seeing that two men who were carrying the wounded soldier were pinned down by enemy fire, he jumped from the aircraft and lifted the wounded man on board. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.