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 Specialist Fourth Class Michael C. Grove, United States Army, for gallantry in actions while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 11 May 1969 while serving as a machine gunner with Troop F, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date his platoon ambushed an enemy force and inflicted heavy casualties. As the friendly armored vehicles were making a sweep of the contact area, they came under intense small arms, automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire from another hostile force concealed in a nearby rubber plantation. During the ensuing firefight Specialist Grove’s assault vehicle received a direct rocket-propelled grenade hit, wounding the entire crew and setting the vehicle on fire. Despite his own wounds, Specialist Grove began giving aid to the other casualties and attempted to extinguish the flames. Realizing that he would not be able to put out the fire he carried one of his seriously wounded comrades through the enemy fusillade to the safety of another vehicle. Specialist Grove then returned to the burning vehicle and helped several other men to safety. When the commander of a nearby vehicle was wounded, Specialist Grove mounted the vehicle while it was under heavy hostile fire and assumed command. For the remainder of the engagement, he skillfully led his crew in assaulting the enemy positions. Specialist Four Grove’s outstanding courage, resourcefulness and concern for the welfare of his fellow soldiers were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.