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 Staff Sergeant Julian F. Fagan (ASN: RA-14659802), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Troop K, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Fagan distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 July 1967, while serving aboard an Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle participating in a road march. Without warning, the lead elements came under an attack from a numerically superior Viet Cong force employing rockets, recoilless rifles, automatic weapons, and small arms. Sergeant Fagan was commanding the troop commander’s vehicle, and he immediately sped forward to assist his comrades and to enable the commander to view the tactical situation. Although fully exposed to the lethal volley of fire, Sergeant Fagan skillfully maneuvered his vehicle off the road. He alertly observed a Viet Cong position and aggressively assaulted the fortification, which effectively confused the guerrillas. Although the enemy fired heavily at the onrushing vehicle, they were soon overrun by Sergeant Fagan, who cut down several insurgents with highly accurate machine gun fire. In complete disregard for personal safety, Sergeant Fagan then returned to the road, where his vehicle sustained several direct hits, one of which severely wounded the troop commander. Sergeant Fagan immediately assumed control of the radio and constantly kept the squadron commander informed of the tactical situation. Suddenly, a large group of the enemy assaulted his vehicle, but, in full view of the attackers, he routed them with a deadly barrage of automatic weapons fire. The momentum of the attack was shattered, and the Viet Cong fled in panic. Staff Sergeant Fagan’s extraordinary heroism in close combat with a hostile force was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.