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 Sergeant Jack Hatfield (ASN: 51838218), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Hatfield distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 5 June 1969, while serving as a platoon sergeant with Company A, 1st Battalion (Airmobile), 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), during a search and clear mission in Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam. When his six-man patrol discovered a bunker complex and foxholes with overhead cover they quickly began searching the area for possible enemy movement. As the patrol moved in single file they came under fire from an unknown size enemy force employing automatic weapons, small arms, and rockets. The point man was instantly wounded and fell in front of an enemy emplacement. Sergeant Hatfield quickly began directing and encouraging the defensive fire of his men and slowly his men were able to gain fire superiority. When a lull in the fighting appeared Sergeant Hatfield began to crawl toward the wounded man. The enemy quickly brought him under intense automatic weapons fire. Ignoring the enemy fire Sergeant Hatfield continued to crawl to the side of the wounded man. Reaching the casualty Sergeant Hatfield began administering first aid and was pulling him back to the tight perimeter that his position had set up when his position came under low grazing machine gun fire mortally wounding him. His gallant action was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.