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 Robert McNeil (ASN: RA-11960941), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 2 March 1969 while serving as a tank commander with Company M, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while Sergeant McNeil’s platoon was conducting a reconnaissance-in-force mission in conjunction with two infantry squads, the dismounted elements suddenly came under intense automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire. As the intensity of the battle increased, the point man of the infantry squads was seriously wounded by an exploding enemy claymore mine. Reacting instantly, Sergeant McNeil, ignoring the heavy antitank rocket fire, maneuvered his vehicle to protect the wounded infantryman and to locate the enemy positions. As Sergeant McNeil moved through the hostile fusillade, he was wounded in the arm and shoulder by fragments from an exploding rocket-propelled grenade. Nevertheless, he refused to be evacuated but continued to direct a heavy volume of suppressive fire upon the hostile positions. In his courageous assault, he was successful in destroying an enemy bunker and an enemy rocket-propelled grenade team. Finally, after an hour of continuous fighting, the enemy broke contact. Only then did Sergeant McNeil allow himself to be evacuated. Sergeant McNeil’s outstanding courage and unwavering 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.