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 Sergeant Russell R. Crowley, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 3 June 1969 while serving as the First Sergeant of Company H, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date elements of the squadron came under intense small arms, automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire from an enemy company located in a well-fortified bunker complex. As the friendly armored vehicles routed the hostile troops from their positions, Sergeant Crowley remained behind with a dismounted element to clear the enemy bunkers. Suddenly the friendly element began receiving intense automatic weapons, machine gun and rocket-propelled grenade fire from enemy troops hidden in the bunkers. He quickly took command and began directing the return fire of the dismounted troops. Seeing that a number of wounded men lay exposed to the hostile fusillade, Sergeant Crowley began moving his vehicle toward them. Although he began receiving intense automatic weaponsfire from both sides of his vehicle, he retaliated with heavy machine gun fire and continued to move toward the casualties. Upon reaching them, Sergeant Crowley dismounted and helped evacuate five to safety. He then returned to the main contact area to search the enemy fortifications. When he began receiving fire from a bunker ten meters away, he quickly returned fire with his rifle and killed one of the occupants. Continuing to fire his weapon, Sergeant Crowley moved to within a few feet of the position and shouted to the other occupants to surrender. Immediately, two enemy soldiers dropped their weapons and came out. After the prisoners had been secured, he resumed the clearing operation, which resulted in twenty of the enemy killed and ten captured. First Sergeant Crowley’s outstanding courage, devotion to duty and concern for the welfare of his fellow soldiers were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.