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 Thomas K. Naylor, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 18 June 1969 while serving as an aerial observer with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while conducting a visual reconnaissance mission near An Loc, Specialist Naylor and his pilot witnessed the crash of the Air Cavalry Troop’s command and control ship. Flying through a barrage of enemy fire, Specialist Naylor flew to a position near the crash site and landed the aircraft in an attempt to rescue the survivors. With complete disregard for his own safety, he dismounted the ship and ran toward the crash site; he repeatedly fired bursts of suppressive fire at the enemy who were assaulting the troop commander with an estimated platoon sized force. Upon reaching the downed helicopter, he helped to evacuated the wounded pilot and then established a defensive perimeter since the other two crew members on the craft could not be rescued because of the burning and exploding fuel and ammunition. His expert marksmanship helped to protect the troop commander from further injury until reinforcements arrived one half hour later. Specialist Four Naylor’s heroic actions and complete disregard for his personal 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.