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 Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) John D. Yarbrough (ASN: 0-62238), United States Army, for gallantry in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Lieutenant Colonel Yarbrough distinguished himself while serving as Battalion Commander of 3d Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. On 21 September 1968, Colonel Yarbrough was supervising a combat assault involving one of his companies when an incoming helicopter was shot down and crashed in flames. With the landing zone blocked, the small force on the ground was isolated and receiving intense enemy fire. As Colonel Yarbrough orbited the area the ground commander informed him that an enemy attack was imminent. In an attempt to reinforce the small element Colonel Yarbrough hovered over the landing zone to drop fire extinguishers. While attempting this, his aircraft was subjected to heavy automatic weapons and B-40 rocket fire. When he was about to drop the extinguishers, his helicopter was hit by a B-40 rocket and crashed injuring him seriously. Lieutenant Colonel Yarbrough’s courageous actions, determination and exemplary devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.