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 Sergeant David M. Bielski, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company D, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in action against the enemy along Highway 922 in the Ashau Valley, Republic of Vietnam, from April 25, 1968 to April 26, 1968. Sergeant Bielski, without hesitation, volunteered as a radio operator of a rescue party to eliminate enemy positions, and locate trapped and wounded Soldier. As the rescue party moved slowly and cautiously along the road, it was receiving fire from numerous enemy positions hiding in spider holes along the bank of the road and machine gun fire from reinforced bunkers. Sergeant Bielski turned off his radio and crawled with the executive officer to silence the enemy bunkers with grenades. Upon finding the platoon medic of the rescue party injured, Sergeant Bielski volunteered to evacuate the medic back to safety. While told that he could remain at the secured area, he again voluntarily returned to the rescue party with much needed ammunition and grenades. When moving back to rejoin the group, he came face to face with an enemy soldier and hot him dead. This prevented the enemy soldier from attacking the rescue party from behind. As the party continued the rescue mission, Sergeant Bielski continuously exposed himself to enemy fire and at one point rand forward, throwing a grenade that silenced the heavy fire coming from the spider hole. The executive officer then requested Sergeant Bielski’s M-16 since both of his weapons were rendered useless by the firefight. Now armed with only a .45 caliber hand gun and a bayonet, Sergeant Bielski continued to engage the enemy and help in the evacuation of wounded Soldiers. The gallantry displayed by Sergeant Bielski was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 7th Cavalry, and the United States Army.