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 Bryant Phifer Culberson (ASN: FR-69952), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force near the village of Dak To, Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam from 2200 hours on 20 June 1967 to 0400 hours on 21 June 1967. The Vietnamese outpost in the village of Diem Binh had been attacked and additional units of the hostile force were mortaring the village of Tan Canh and the 42d ARVN Regimental Headquarters in the second attack that night. Scrambled from Pleiku at 2200 hours on 20 June 1967, Captain Culberson directed fighter counter-attacks that broke the back of the unfriendly force’s attack, forcing them to retreat rapidly in confusion. During the long action the ordnance of six flights of fighters and the miniguns of two flareships were expended on the unfriendly force’s position and escape routes. The excellent air direction and coordination performed by Captain Culberson resulted in the complete cessation of all unfriendly force’s activity by 0330 hours on 21 June 1967. This action, performed during the hours of darkness under marginal weather conditions in rugged mountainous terrain, all the while under intensive hostile fire, displayed the outstanding professionalism and courage of this man. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Culberson has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.