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 Colonel Hoyt Sanford Vandenberg, Jr., United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force as an F4C Aircraft Commander and as Squadron Commander of the 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, SEVENTH Air Force, DaNang Air Base, South Vietnam, in action in Southeast Asia on 26 February 1967. On that date, Colonel Vandenberg pinpointed several hostile gun positions and used his aircraft to flare and draw fire so that his wingman could suppress this fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, Colonel Vandenberg made three passes in this highly defended area, and his wingman was able to silence all of the hostile fire. This enabled other flights to strike this area without the dangers of hostile defenses, and effectively destroy an important hostile resupply point. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel Vandenberg has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.