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 Sergeant Dillard E. Trimble, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 18 April 1969 while serving as track commander with Troop A, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date Troop A was conducting a reconnaissance mission when the suddenly came under intense small arms, automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fire from an enemy force. In the initial barrage of hostile fire, Sergeant Trimble received severe wounds in the leg. Ignoring his painful wounds, he quickly analyzed the situation and realized that the enemy was too well entrenched to be routed by his machine guns. He unhesitatingly dashed through the heavy volley of enemy fire and eliminated the nearest enemy bunker with a grenade. Sergeant Trimble dashed from on bunker to the next silencing those which offered any resistance. As the firefight raged on, he spotted another group of enemy fortifications slowing the advance of the friendly forces. He gathered a group of soldiers and courageously led an attack on the enemy bunkers, killing three more enemy soldiers and eliminating the bunkers’ threat to the assault. While leading this attack, Sergeant Trimble was again wounded, this time in the back by shrapnel. Enduring the pain from his severe wounds, he refused to be evacuated. Seeing several seriously wounded men pinned down by hostile fire, he placed heavy, accurate fire upon the enemy positions, allowing the wounded to be evacuated to safety. A total of five hostile troops were killed in action as a result of Sergeant Trimble’s actions. He destroyed four bunkers and captured seven enemy weapons. In addition, he was directly responsible for saving the lives of two of his comrades. Sergeant Trimble’s outstanding personal courage, professional leadership ability and unwavering 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.