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 First Sergeant Homer Miguel Garza (ASN: RA-18355870), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. First Sergeant Garza distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 13 November 1968, while serving as First Sergeant of Battery C, 3d Battalion, 34th Artillery Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, at Fire Support Base CLAW. When his base camp came under an intense enemy mortar attack, Sergeant Garza courageously left the protection of a bunker and moved among the firing sections to supervise his men’s action. Disregarding the rounds bursting all around him, he directed the evacuation of the wounded, organized firing crews and assisted in the preparation of the guns. Although blown from a platform near one of the howitzers by an incoming round, Sergeant Garza immediately recovered and rallied the crew to return to the weapon. When the fire became so intense as to force abandonment of the weapon, he split the crew among other sections and then remained in the open to make a crater analysis which pinpointed the enemy location and led to the silencing of the hostile mortar fire. First Sergeant Garza’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against an armed hostile force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.