The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Michael Leslie Frey, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong Communist aggressors in the Republic of Vietnam on 14 January 1970. As Officer in Charge of Duffle Bat, Monitor Team ONE, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Frey courageously led his men in the defense of the U.S. Army Special Forces at Ba Xaoi against a vastly superior enemy force. After setting demolition charges on the classified equipment and despite a full scale enemy rocket and ground attack, he ran through the steady hail of incoming rocket and mortar rounds to the Army Communications Bunker where he discovered that the main defensive position had been destroyed. He volunteered to take up the most exposed position and against when through the exploding rounds to the top of the defensive hill. Constantly exposing himself to enemy fire as he moved from man to man directing fire and boosting morale, he displayed exemplary courage and leadership. As the enemy attack increased, he manned a machine gun and repulsed the enemy who had crawled to the defensive perimeter. At dawn he assisted in carrying the wounded men to an evacuation site and again came under mortar and small arms attack from the determined enemy. His infectious aggressiveness throughout the night aroused his men to extraordinary acts of courage. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Frey’s extreme courage under fire, professionalism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.