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 Captain (Infantry) Eugene C. McCarley, Jr., United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Special Operations Augmentation (Command and Control Detachment Central), 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain McCarley distinguished himself while commanding an American-Vietnamese Company on a search and clear operation deep within enemy-controlled territory. During the evening hours of 12 September 1970, Captain McCarley’s company was engaged by a large, well-concealed hostile force firing automatic weapons, mortars, and B-40 rockets. Although wounded by fragments from an impacting B-40 round, he continuously maneuvered through the intense fusillade to direct the retaliating fire against the opposing force. On the final day of the mission, the captain led an aggressive assault against the belligerents’ base camp and was able to secure vital enemy documents. Shortly after his extraction helicopter left the landing zone, it was struck by enemy ground fire and crashed. Again wounded, the determined Captain remained at the burning wreckage and rem oved the valuable documents. Moments later, he was evacuated to rear medical facilities. Captain McCarley’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.