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 Private First Class Russell R. Hires, Jr., United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 9 July 1969 while serving as a mechanic with Troop E, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date Private Hires was accompanying a convoy when it suddenly came under intense small arms, recoilless rifle and rocket propelled grenade fire from an enemy force. Private Hires returned fire with his machine gun and spotted a rocket grenade team approximately twenty meters in front of his armored vehicle. He engaged the enemy team killing both of its members. Despite the intense pain from the recoil of his weapon he continued to engage the enemy force when suddenly a rocket grenade slammed into a vehicle seriously wounding several members. Disregarding his own safety he dashed through the hostile fire and climbed on the vehicle to assist the wounded men and help transfer them to a safer place where they were evacuated. Private First Class Hires’ actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.