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 Private First Class Michael A. Esmond (ASN: US-52807686), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force while serving with Troop B, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, Americal Division, in action on 27 September 1967 in the Republic of Vietnam. On that date Private First Class Esmond was assigned as the Aidman for a cavalry platoon which was aiding two pinned down infantry platoons. Private Esmond was mounted in the platoon leader’s armored cavalry assault vehicle which had moved into the line of enemy fire to shield the infantrymen. Private Esmond unhesitatingly dismounted and moved to the aid of sixteen soldiers who laying the paddy. With complete disregard for his own safety, he helped all the infantrymen out of the bullet swept area to the safety of the vehicle. After the wounded were evacuated by helicopter, the vehicles returned to the rest of the platoon where they received instructions to move into dense jungle, from which the remainder of the troop was receiving intense automatic weapons fire. Upon entering the edge of the foliage the troop came under an enemy hand grenade assault, Unhesitatingly, Private Esmond again responded to the call for assistance, as he dismounted and ran across 100 meters of open terrain, under intense machine gun fire, to the troop commander’s vehicle. While administering aid to the wounded troop commander, the vehicle carrying the platoon’s infantry squad was hit by grenades, resulting in five casualties. Private Esmond, fearlessly exposing himself, ran toward the infantry vehicle some 75 meters away. After traveling only a few feet, he was knocked to the ground by a round from an enemy grenade launcher. Although wounded, he courageously arose and continued to the aid of his wounded comrades. After treating the infantrymen, the cry for the medic came from his own vehicle. Once again, with resolute devotion to duty, he fearlessly exposed himself to the grenade and machinegun fire and dashed back to his own track and treated his wounded platoon leader and machine gunner. Only after insuring there were no further casualties in the platoon, did Private Esmond attend to his own wounds. The entire time Private Esmond was moving from vehicle to vehicle to render aid he was under intense enemy fire and he repeatedly exposed himself to the enemy guns. Private First Class Esmond’s extraordinary heroism and tenacious dedication to duty while in the face of enemy fire are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.