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 Specialist Fourth Class Michael Owen Hardesty (ASN: 51668704), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Fourth Class Hardesty distinguished himself by intrepid actions on 6 September 1968, while serving a Squad Leader with the Aero Scout Company, 123d Aviation Battalion, Americal Division, on a combat operation. On that date, during a sweep through a hamlet, Specialist Hardesty’s squad was pinned down by an automatic weapon firing from a bunker position. One squad member was wounded as he moved towards the enemy position. With complete disregard for his own safety, Specialist Hardesty moved forward to assist the wounded man and moved him to a relatively safe position. He then directed his squad to provide covering fire while he moved toward the enemy bunker. Exposing himself again to the enemy machinegun fire, he raced to within hand grenade range of the bunker and destroyed the enemy machinegun. Specialist Fourth Class Hardesty’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against an enemy force was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.