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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Lee Eldrige Grimsley, United States Army, for gallantry in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 21 February 1968. Second Lieutenant Grimsley distinguished himself while serving as a platoon leader in Company D, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry Regiment, 101st Air Cavalry Division. Company D was conducting a combat operation near Hue, Republic of Vietnam, as Lieutenant Grimsley’s platoon was advancing on a suspected enemy position. As the platoon entered a large rice paddy, they were taken under heavy automatic weapons fire from an enemy estimated at company size, positioned in well entrenched fortifications. As the platoon sustained the initial fire of the enemy, Lieutenant Grimsley simultaneously directed the platoon’s fire upon the enemy and secured the immediate area, giving the third platoon the opportunity to move up and to the right. With the third platoon laying down a supporting base of fire, Lieutenant Grimsley personally led his platoon on an assault on the woodline. As they reached the woodline, the fighting developed into hand-to-hand combat, with Lieutenant Grimsley in the forefront of the sanguinary contest, greatly inspiring his men by his conspicuous courage. At this time, while fearlessly directing the fire of his men, Lieutenant Grimsley’s radio was hit by an enemy round, rendering it useless. Without hesitation, Lieutenant Grimsley assumed the extremely hazardous task of running from position to position to direct the fire, and at the same time to make provisions for the evacuation of his wounded. The enemy apparently became aware of his position of leadership and concentrated heavy fire on him alone, but he continued these actions without regard for his own personal safety. The highly effective base of fire under the direction of Lieutenant Grimsley and the fierceness of his platoon’s assault forced the enemy to fall back to an open field. Lieutenant Grimsley then quickly called in artillery to impede the enemy’s retreat. Lieutenant Grimsley’s extremely high quality of leadership and his courageous activities in this situation saved his platoon from possible annihilation and enabled it to overrun the enemy position, even though heavily outnumbered. Lieutenant Grimsley’s exceptional gallantry is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.