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 Keith O. Maynard, United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations against a hostile force on 17 November 1965, in the Republic of Vietnam, while assigned to the 2d Platoon, Company B, 229th Assault helicopter Battalion 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Staff Sergeant Maynard, while participating as a UH1D armed troop air assault helicopter maintenance sergeant, volunteered to board a helicopter to lift water and medical supplies to besieged troops at the landing Zone Albany in the Ia Drang Valley. Staff Sergeant Maynard and his crew joined the battle at Albany under the enemy fire of North Vietnamese regular Army forces that surrounded the battlefield and were threatening to annihilate the infantry of the 2d Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment. Staff Sergeant Maynard flew as crew chief gunner into the embattled area to evacuate the wounded despite aerial bombardment, mortar, and artillery shells bursting near the perimeter. During landing, Staff Sergeant Maynard provided suppressive machine gun fire from his helicopter. After landing the aircraft in the dark, guided only by a flashlight, Staff Sergeant Maynard went to the battlefield and while under enemy fire pulled aboard the aircraft several wounded infantrymen. He took the injured soldiers to safety and immediately rejoined his crew and flew back to the battlefield to evacuate more wounded. The gallantry displayed by Staff Sergeant Maynard was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit on himself, the 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, and the United States Army.