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 Command Sergeant Major John A. Carlson, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 25 November 1969 while serving as the Sergeant Major of the 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date he was located at the squadron command post when it suddenly came under intense enemy small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire. Several of the incoming rounds struck ammunition vehicles and set off a series of explosions that filled the air with shell fragments. Disregarding his own safety, Sergeant Major Carlson ran back and forth throughout the area to assist in moving the wounded, to help extinguish fires and to insure that the perimeter defense remained tight. Through repeatedly knocked down by explosions, he continued to assist in every phase of the base defense until the enemy attack had been repelled. Command Sergeant Major Carlson’s heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.