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 Fourth Class Kerry Philip Cook (ASN: RA-11660643), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Fourth Class Cook distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 3 May 1969 while serving as a Radio-telephone Operator with Company C, 3d Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, on a combat mission in Kien Hoa Province. When his platoon came under intense rocket, grenade, and automatic weapons fire, Specialist Cook, disregarding his own safety, braved the barrage of incoming rounds to maintain vital communications, making possible the swift evacuation of the wounded, directing gunship strikes upon the enemy, and enabling his platoon to safely withdraw from the area. Specialist Fourth Class Cook’s extraordinary heroism in close combat with an armed hostile force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.