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 Captain (Infantry) Raymond Abney Sanders (ASN: OF-104994), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in close combat against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Sanders distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 4 December 1967, while serving as Company Commander, Company A, 3d Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, on a search and destroy mission as a part of Operation CORONADO IX in Dinh Tuong Province, Vietnam. As the unit moved down a narrow jungle tributary in armored troop carriers, it suddenly came under an intense volume of B-40 rocket, automatic weapons, and small arms fire from a well entrenched and numerically superior Viet Cong force. Upon landing, Captain Sanders led his men on a fierce assault on the enemy position. Having the company split by a small river, Captain Sanders courageously moved from position to position directing fire and calling for and adjusting artillery on the hostile emplacements. Wishing to reunite his force, Captain Sanders instructed a portion of his men to provide cover fire while the other elements joined with the main force. Upon consolidating his unit, Captain Sanders continued to lead his men forward until the enemy force was forced to retreat. Captain Sanders’ extraordinary heroism while engaged in close combat with a numerically superior force was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, the 9th Infantry Division and the United States Army.