The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Specialist Fifth Class Jerry W. Mitchell (ASN: US-55983982), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 9 May 1968 while serving as a Vehicle Commander, Troop I, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, his unit was defending a fire support base near the city of Duc Hoa when they were attacked by both enemy ground forces and mortar fire. As the massive insurgent force swept towards his position Specialist Mitchell engaged them with his .50 caliber machine gun. Remaining in an exposed position, he continued to lay down an effective base of suppressive fire while being subject to intense enemy antitank, automatic and semiautomatic weapons fire. His armored vehicle sustained a hit by an insurgent antitank rocket, blowing Specialist Mitchell from the vehicle and while he was crawling back to his vehicle it received another enemy round, wounding the two gunners and making their weapons inoperative. Unhesitantly, he ignored the intense hostile fire and proceeded to administer first aid to his wounded comrades. As he was completing his treatment of the wounded, he heard the enemy approaching their position and without regard for his personal safety, jumped to the deck of the vehicle with his automatic weapon and began firing an accurate volume of fire upon the pressing insurgent force. He continued to fire from his exposed position, keeping the enemy pinned down until reinforcements arrived and secured the perimeter. His personal leadership and professional skill contributed significantly to the victory. Specialist Five Mitchell’s outstanding courage was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.