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 Lieutenant Colonel (Armor) Lee E. Duke, United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 29 December 1968, while serving as Commanding Officer, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. At approximately 1130 hours on that day, Colonel Duke was performing normal command and control functions from his helicopter when he received a call for assistance from another ship from the 2d Squadron Air Section which had engaged and wounded several enemy soldiers. Arriving at the scene of the action, Colonel Duke observed that the sister aircraft had landed and the pilot had dismounted in an attempt to capture several of the enemy. Colonel Duke immediately ordered friendly forces in the area to move to assist in developing the situation. He then ordered his pilot to land the aircraft, whereupon he dismounted to assist the elements on the ground. By this time, the area was under fire. Colonel Duke dragged several wounded enemy soldiers to a clearing where they might be evacuated and, while en route, captured another enemy soldier. He then returned to his aircraft to direct the approach of the reaction force as it arrived. Hovering over the area of the fierce engagement, Colonel Duke marked pockets of enemy resistance for the maneuvering ground forces. With complete disregard for his own safety, and in the face of the intense enemy ground fire directed at his aircraft, he continued to control the action until his own ship was hit by a burst of automatic weapons fire, requiring a forced landing not more than 50 meters from the ensuing battle. On the ground, he continued to direct the action until the enemy force had been completely destroyed. Colonel Duke’s outstanding devotion to duty, professional ability, and personal courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.