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 Captain (Armor), [then First Lieutenant] Thomas William Fagan, United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 17 April 1971 in the Republic of Vietnam. While serving as the 2d Platoon Leader of E Troop, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, his platoon was called upon to act as a reactionary force in a contact area north of Trang Bang. Arriving at the scene, the platoon immediately came under intense rocket propelled grenade and automatic weapons fire from an estimated company-size enemy force. Captain Fagan organized his platoon into a line formation and conducted an assault upon the enemy positions. As his platoon advanced into the middle of the contact area, he observed two of his vehicles being hit simultaneously by heavy enemy fire. Realizing that the first vehicle had taken a rocket propelled grenade in the ammunition box causing extensive internal explosions, he ordered the vehicle’s track commander to withdraw to the rear of the contact area. Captain Fagan then dashed to the badly damaged vehicle which took another grenade. He jumped on the vehicle to pull a severely burned soldier from his hatch and began administering first aid. After carrying the wounded track commander to the evacuation area, he led his men in bunker to bunker contact. Captain Fagan’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.