The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Specialist Fourth Class Gary Hackworth (ASN: US-56829445), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 12 September 1968 while serving as scout observer with Troop E, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Troop E was given the mission of recovering several dead and wounded United States personnel from a company of the 1st Infantry Division who had been separated from the remainder of their unit during a fierce engagement with an estimated North Vietnamese battalion. Upon reaching the area of the raging fire fight, Specialist Hackworth immediately observed several friendly casualties and immediately requested two attached infantry squads to move forward and evacuate the stricken soldiers. Due to the heavy enemy fire, the men were unable to leave the protection of the armored cavalry assault vehicles. Specialist Hackworth realizing the need for immediate action disregarded his personal safety to unhesitatingly leap from his vehicle and run through a withering hail of intense enemy fire to assist the wounded men. Once he reached their position he moved one man over 30 meters through heavy enemy fire to a safe position behind the vehicles. Inspired by his courageous actions the infantry squads moved forward from their protected positions and assisted in recovering the casualties in the area. As a result of Specialist Hackworth’s immeasurable display of courage, lives of several seriously wounded men were saved. Specialist Fourth Class Hackworth’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.