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 Henry A. Gatewood, Jr., United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 12 May 1969, while serving as a squad leader with the 919th Engineer Company (Armored), 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, when Quan Loi Base Camp came under an enemy mortar, rocket and ground attack, Sergeant Gatewood volunteered to lead his squad to close a breach in the defensive perimeter opened by the assaulting enemy. Shortly after moving his armored vehicle into position to drive back the advancing hostile troops, a retreating enemy soldier hurled a satchel charge inside the vehicle. Although Sergeant Gatewood was wounded by the explosion, he refused evacuation and remained with his squad to direct their fire and offer encouragement. As a result of his courageous leadership, an enemy sapper and rocket-propelled grenade platoon was forced to withdraw, leaving behind numerous weapons and a large quantity of ammunition and enabling his men to secure their section of the friendly perimeter. Staff Sergeant Gatewood’s courage and 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.