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 Thomas R. Yarborough, United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in Southeast Asia on 16 February 1971. On that date, Captain Yarborough, flying under a low ceiling in one of the most hostile antiaircraft environments in Southeast Asia, was directly responsible for saving the lives of a small long range reconnaissance team which had come under attack by numerically superior forces. In the face of virtually unworkable weather conditions and in spite of intense ground fire, Captain Yarborough, at great personal risk, flew his lightly armed reconnaissance aircraft at tree top level for more than four hours, repeatedly attacking a large force of hostile troops attempting to overrun the friendly team. When helicopter assets approached for a rescue attempt, Captain Yarborough, in spite of ground fire damage to his OV-10, unhesitatingly directed his attack against two heavy machine guns, destroying them both and thus permitting his vulnerable helicopter force to effect a successful rescue of the besieged team. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Yarborough has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.