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 Sergeant Michael Richard Baldwin (ASN: US-51978830), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 12 September 1968. On this date, Sergeant Baldwin was serving as a Squad Leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, during a reconnaissance in force operation in the vicinity of Loc Ninh. Sergeant Baldwin was leading his squad approximately 150 meters in front of the main body of the friendly forces when the men sighted several Viet Cong. As the unit moved into good firing positions, they were subjected to intense machinegun, rocket and automatic weapons fire by a large enemy force. Sergeant Baldwin immediately began moving about through the hail of hostile rounds, checking his men and directing their fire for maximum effectiveness. When he noticed one of his men seriously wounded by the enemy fire, he completely disregarded his personal safety and ran across an open area rakes by hostile fire to aid the individual. He quickly dragged the casualty to a more secure location and administered first aid. Particularly heavy machinegun fire was emanating form one of the insurgents’ positions and caused the patrol to be pinned down. Sergeant Baldwin dauntlessly advanced to within ten meters of the emplacement and silenced the machinegun fire with a well placed hand grenade. As he attempted to lead his men back to the rest of the company, he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. The extraordinary courage and calm determination displayed by Sergeant Baldwin significantly contributed to the victory achieved by the friendly forces. Sergeant Baldwin’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.