The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Walter R. Hasting, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 3 June 1969 while serving as operations sergeant with Company H, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while elements of the squadron were conducting a reconnaissance operation the entered an enemy base camp and came under intense small arms, automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fire. As the lead tanks pursued a group of hostile troops fleeing from the bunker complex friendly dismounted elements began a sweep of the area. Suddenly they began receiving intense fire from several enemy positions. Sergeant Hasting quickly began placing rifle and grenade fire on the hostile emplacements. Then, seeing that the company radio operator was having difficulty communicating with the other vehicles, Sergeant Hasting took over the responsibility and established coordination on the company radio net. When he observed another vehicle receive a direct rocket propelled grenade hit, he maneuvered his vehicle into position to provide protection while the wounded crew members were evacuated. At the same time he continued to engage the enemy alternately with his rifle and his grenade launcher and coordinated the movements of the dismounted elements. As he moved about the contact area, his vehicle began receiving intense automatic weapons fire from a nearby bunker. Disregarding the hostile fusillade, Sergeant Hasting dismounted his vehicle and began crawling toward the fortification. Although he was soon spotted he quickly retaliated with accurate rifle fire. With the hostile gunners pinned down he tossed a grenade inside killing four of the enemy and wounding two others. Sergeant Hasting’s outstanding courage, resourcefulness and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.