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 Lieutenant (Armor) Ward Abbett (ASN: 0-5329032), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. First Lieutenant Abbett distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 28 March 1968, while serving as a Platoon Leader with Troop L, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, on a reconnaissance in force mission conducted jointly with elements of the 25th Division, Republic of Vietnam, near Xom Bao Than, Vietnam. When the lead units of the allied force came in contact with a reinforced battalion of Viet Cong, Lieutenant Abbett led his armored cavalry assault vehicles against the enemy flank. Despite intense rocket, automatic weapons and small arms fire, he assumed a fully exposed position on his vehicle, forcing the enemy to retreat. Lieutenant Abbett, who had assumed command of three separate platoons, professionally directed supporting helicopter gunships and artillery fire against the fleeing insurgents. During the assault on the retreating enemy, one of the vehicles in his platoon received a direct hit, inflicting severe wounds to several of the crew members. Reacting instantly, Lieutenant Abbett maneuvered his armored cavalry assault vehicle alongside the disabled vehicle, providing suppressive fire for the casualties. Despite painful burns received from the many brush fires in the area of contact, Lieutenant Abbett then dismounted his vehicle and began a search of the area for remaining Viet Cong strongholds, personally capturing an enemy soldier. First Lieutenant Abbett’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against a numerically superior Viet Cong force was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.