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 Gary Lee Gabel (ASN: RA-11701934), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations against a hostile force while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam on 2 February 1968. On this date, Sergeant Gabel was serving as Squad Leader on a company-size search and destroy mission near An Loc. During the mid-morning hours, the unit approached and prepared to enter a suspected Viet Cong base camp. The unit’s mechanized platoon was called forward and positioned on a line facing the intended search area. Before preparations were complete, the flanks of the unit were suddenly subjected o intensive fire from a large enemy force, utilizing small arms, automatic weapons, and claymore mines. During the initial exchange of fire, Sergeant Gabel learned that one of his men, who had attempted to retrieve a wounded comrade from the enemy kill zone, had not returned from the flanks of the unit. Immediately he left his position to search for his men. Half running and half crawling through the vicious enemy crossfire, he searched until he finally found his men, wounded and pinned down by an enemy machinegun. He called for a medic, and then without concern for his personal safety, he attacked the enemy emplacement. His daring assault drew the insurgents’ fire from his comrades long enough to launch grenades at the gun. In the midst of his charge, he was mortally wounded by the enemy return fire, seconds before the emplacement was completely demolished. Sergeant Gabel’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.