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 Johnny A. Moore, 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 an acting platoon leader with Troop F, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date Sergeant Moore’s platoon was conducting a reconnaissance mission near Cam Tam when they were suddenly engaged by a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force. Sergeant Moore immediately began establishing a landing zone for dust-off ships when a rocket-propelled grenade smashed into his position, seriously wounding the platoon leader and forcing him to be evacuated. Sergeant Moor rapidly assumed command of his platoon and the enemy was forced to flee. He immediately led the search of the immediate contact area, followed by a search after the fleeing foe. As the platoon broke through the jungle they came under heavy small arms and antitank fire from another numerically superior enemy force. Reacting quickly, Sergeant Moore formed a hasty defense perimeter from which his platoon could mount an offensive thrust. While maintaining contact with the troop commander, he was informed of another enemy force moving in on his right flank. Acting decisively, he led a two vehicle element to head off the approaching force. With complete disregard for his own safety, he remained in an open and exposed position while he placed intensive barrages of machine gun fire on the hostile positions, personally accounting for three enemy killed. Despite the fact his vehicle was continually raked by automatic weapons fire, he maneuvered back to his platoon and by using and arm signals he effectively deployed his vehicles and men. His courageous and inspiring leadership helped his men overwhelmingly defeat the enemy force, resulting in twenty-one enemy killed during the day-long operation. Staff Sergeant Moore’s outstanding devotion to duty and complete disregard for his safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.