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 Lloyd H. Mitchell (ASN: RA-17314068), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 13 May 1968 while serving with Company D, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date in the vicinity of Cu Chi, Company D was engaged in the assault of a heavily-fortified hostile position. Moments after penetrating the initial fortifications of the enemy bunker system, Sergeant Mitchell’s tank received a direct hit in the gas tank, wounding him and engulfing the entire rear portion of his tank in flames. Totally disregarding his wounds, the intense concentration of hostile fire and the flames creeping toward his position, Sergeant Mitchell ordered his crewmen to dismount the burning vehicle while he remained to direct suppressive machine gun fire into the hostile positions. After his crew had safely dismounted under his protective fire, Sergeant Mitchell dismounted his vehicle only moments before it exploded. Staff Sergeant Mitchell’s unwavering devotion to duty, courage and disregard of his personal safety while under hostile fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.