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 (Army Award) to Captain Paul Richard Verdier, Jr., United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, Chu Lai Air Base, South Vietnam, in action in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Verdier distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 28 August 1968 as a Forward Air Controller for the 11th Light Infantry Brigade. A company of the 3d Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment was pinned down by heavy automatic weapons fire west of Quang Ngai and on the south side of the Song Tra Khuc River. Captain Verdier maneuvered his aircraft directly over the battle site to pinpoint he friendly and enemy locations, drawing intense automatic weapons fire from fortified hostile positions only a hundred and fifty meters from the American troops. Because of the small size of the target and its proximity to the ground unit, he made an extremely low pass through the hostile barrage to fire his marking rockets. He then remained over the target to relay bombing adjustments to the fighter aircraft as they delivered a devastating bombardment which enabled the Americans to sweep through the communists’ positions without receiving a round of enemy fire. Captain Verdier’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 Air Force.