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 pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain (Infantry) Monte Thomas Sloan (ASN: 0-93949/27375941), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Company B, 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division in the Republic of Vietnam on 9 December 1966. On this date, a portion of Captain Sloan’s company had the mission of conducting an airborne operation in Gia Dinh Province. Immediately upon landing, Captain Sloan and the entire flight became heavily engaged with a platoon sized Viet Cong force entrenched in the woodline. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Captain Sloan braved the intense hostile automatic weapons and small arms fire and moved to the scene of the heaviest fighting. Captain Sloan immediately went from position to position, encouraging his men and directing their fire. Ignoring the devastating fire power directed against him, Captain Sloan maintained an exposed position in order to effectively deploy his unit. He then called in air strikes and artillery barrages with pinpoint accuracy. When fire superiority had been attained, Captain Sloan led his company in a sustained drive, which completely routed the insurgent force. Captain Sloan’s exemplary courage and outstanding leadership ability were of immeasurable significance to the success of the American operation. Captain Sloan’s unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.