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 Specialist Fourth Class David E. Day (ASN: US-52644653), United States Army, for gallantry in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Fourth Class Day distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 11 March 1967, while serving as a machine gunner on an Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle of Troop B, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, assigned point responsibility during Operation JUNCTION CITY. As Specialist Day’s vehicle was clearing a path in particularly dense terrain, it was hit by a recoilless rifle round. The vehicle commander and two of the four crewmen were injured and began to evacuate. Specialist Day was wounded painfully in the shoulder, but in spite of his wounds he bravely manned his machine gun as the Viet Cong closed in. Noticing that the driver of the armored vehicle was dazed and unable to function, Specialist Day attempted to talk him into action as he threw grenades and continued to decimate the enemy with precise automatic weapons fire. As bullets filled the air and careened off his vehicle, Specialist Day physically removed the driver and covered his withdrawal with rifle fire. Specialist Day then daringly returned to the vehicle under a hail of fire and started it to remove it from the front line. At this time the insurgents launched a second attack, coming to within 15 meters of the armored vehicle. Specialist Day jumped from the driver’s compartment and repelled the enemy with .50 caliber machine gun fire. Finally, two other crew members fought their way to the vehicle and removed it from the line of fire. Specialist Fourth Class Day’s heroic actions in close combat with an armed hostile force were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.