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 Miguel Villarreal (ASN: RA-18627278), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 18 May 1968 while serving with Company D, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Company D was engaged in the assault on an enemy held objective. Sergeant Villarreal was serving as an M-60 machine gunner on the rear deck of his tank when suddenly the vehicle received two direct hits from antitank rockets knocking him to the ground. Reacting instantly and with a total disregard for his own safety in the face of the intense hostile fire, Sergeant Villarreal sprinted across the battlefield to one of the armored cavalry assault vehicles and continued in the assault firing a grenade launcher. When the driver of the tank next to his vehicle was wounded, Sergeant Villarreal again exposed himself to the intense volume of hostile fire by dismounting, sprinting to the wounded driver and carrying him to the rear. Once again exposing himself to the heavy volume of hostile fire, Sergeant Villarreal returned to the scene of the intense fire fight located the tank whose drive he had evacuated and assumed the duties of the vehicle driver. Sergeant Villarreal’s unwavering devotion to duty, deep concern for the welfare of his comrades in arms and disregard for personal safety while under hostile fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.