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 Platoon Sergeant Martin G. Schenck (ASN: RA-12109772), United States Army, for gallantry in action in the Republic of Vietnam while serving with Troop E, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment on 3 February 1968. Platoon Sergeant Martin G. Schenck distinguished himself while on a search and destroy mission near the village of Bien Hoa when contact was made with an estimated two companies of Viet Cong. When he learned that friendly forces had been wounded and demobilized by heavy enemy fire, Platoon Sergeant Schenck led his platoon of five Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicles into the enemy held village several times to evacuate friendly troops. On each occasion, his vehicle was the first one into the village and the last one to leave. During this time, his track was fired at with numerous enemy rounds, yet he never hesitated to re-enter the village while there were still wounded men in it. He personally saved the lives of eight men, dismounting his track on several occasions to aid the evacuation of wounded. With complete disregard for his own safety, he exposed himself to intense enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire while aiding these wounded soldiers. Each extraction became more and more difficult, as there was only one entrance into the village and the enemy concentrated rocket propelled grenades and automatic weapons fire on that entrance. During the last extraction, he was wounded in the shoulder by enemy fire. His outstanding devotion to duty and personal courage are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.