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 Specialist Fourth Class Michael Vaughan (ASN: US-51570684), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Troop K, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Fourth Class Vaughan distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 July 1967 while serving as a machine gunner aboard an Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle participating in a road march along a strategic highway. Suddenly, the friendly force was hit with rocket, recoilless rifle, automatic weapons, and small arms fire directed at them from both sides of the road by a well-concealed Viet Cong force. Specialist Vaughan reacted immediately, pouring a withering volume of suppressive fire into the hostile positions. Observing that the machine gun on the left side of the vehicle had been hit and would not function, Specialist Vaughan provided covering fire in a 270 degree arc around the track. As the fanatical insurgents advanced to within ten meters of his position, Specialist Vaughan completely exposed himself to decimate the Viet Cong and slow their attack. Firing his machine gun until it overheated, he then expended all of the ammunition from his personal weapon and began once more to hurl hand grenades. Utilizing every weapon within his reach, Specialist Vaughan gallantly repelled the guerrillas for over one hour. When the enemy began to retreat, he aided the wounded and evacuated them to a landing zone. The landing zone erupted with fire, and once again Specialist Vaughan suppressed the Viet Cong with accurate, intense fire. Specialist Fourth Class Vaughan’s extraordinary heroism in close combat with a hostile force were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.