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 David W. Keefe (ASN: RA-11439870), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 22 June 1967, while serving as Assistant Advisor to the 9th Reconnaissance Company, 9th Infantry Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. On that date, while occupying night defensive positions, the company came under intense small arms, automatic weapons, and recoilless rifle fire. When the Vietnamese unit commander was wounded in the initial burst of fire, Sergeant Keefe, ignoring the extreme danger, rushed to his side and administered first aid. Still exposed to the fierce enemy fire that was lashing the area, he carried the wounded commander across 60 meters of exposed terrain to a point of relative safety. He then volunteered to move to inspect unit defensive positions and in the process was wounded by a grenade. Disregarding his wound, Sergeant Keefe continued to move throughout the unit, advising and reorganizing defenses. This accomplished, he was informed that a critical outpost had abruptly gone silent. Again subjecting himself to the hostile fire, he crossed 200 meters of contested area to the outpost. After insuring that the outpost was still defensible, Sergeant Keefe made his way along the same fire-swept patch back to the command post. He then directed helicopter airstrikes which suppressed the enemy fire allowing a medical evacuation craft to land and evacuate the wounded. As a result of Sergeant Keefe’s exceptionally valiant actions and unrelenting dedication to duty, the 9th Reconnaissance Company maintained its fighting ability despite the loss of its Commander. Sergeant Keefe’s conspicuous 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.