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) Walter E. Chase, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 31 March 1970 while serving as a platoon leader with Troop B, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, while on a reconnaissance mission north of Tay Ninh, the troop encountered a seemingly deserted North Vietnamese Army training area. Lieutenant Chase ordered his platoon to dismount and to search the area. As they searched they began to receive intense small arms and automatic weapons fire from an entrenched enemy force. As his platoon retaliated with accurate suppressive fire, Lieutenant Chase observed several of the enemy in the nearby brush. He immediately charged the enemy and with quick and highly accurate bursts from his personal weapon destroyed the insurgents. As the platoon advanced, Lieutenant Chase observed several North Vietnamese soldiers in a bunker. Though they were armed, he coaxed them to surrender and then gave them to the commanding officer for interrogation purposes. As a result of the action, numerous enemy were killed and several captured. First Lieutenant Chase’s 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.