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 Second Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Michael O. Levenhagen (ASN: 0-5425312), United States Army, for gallantry in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 3 February 1968. Second Lieutenant Levenhagen distinguished himself while serving as a forward observer with Troop E, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Troop E was conducting a reconnaissance in force when contact was made with an estimated two company Viet Cong force in the village of Tan Phu, five kilometers north of Bien Hoa. Without hesitation, Lieutenant Levenhagen dismounted his Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle to follow the troop commander in the dismounted phase of the attack. On many occasions Lieutenant Levenhagen came under heavy enemy small arms fire as he led his men in searching houses in the village. When Lieutenant Levenhagen learned that a platoon leader’s vehicle had been hit by an anti-tank weapon, he immediately, with complete disregard for his own safety, moved, dismounted, through the village to render aid to the wounded. As he moved through the village, he was wounded in the arm. He took cover behind a mound of dirt. Waiting until the fire subsided, he again attempted to reach the wounded soldiers. As he ran toward the vehicle, he was wounded in the leg. Determined to aid the other wounded men, he painfully crawled forward to reach their vehicle and discovered that the wounded personnel had already been evacuated. Crawling back to friendly positions, Lieutenant Levenhagen attracted the attention of another Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle and was evacuated. Second Lieutenant Levenhagen’s extraordinary heroism is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.