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 pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant John Charles Reitwiesner, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 21 January 1970 while serving as a tank commander with Troop C, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while conducting a reconnaissance mission, Sergeant Reitwiesner’s troop came under intense rocket propelled grenade, mortar, and automatic weapons fire by an estimate battalion of North Vietnamese Army soldiers. Disregarding his own safety, he immediately began assaulting the bunkers in which the enemy was entrenched. Throughout the firefight, Sergeant Reitwiesner continually exposed himself to the intense hostile fire in order to better engage the enemy. Suddenly, an enemy rocket propelled grenade struck his vehicle and disabled it. Braving the hostile fire, he remained in the cupola to direct suppressive fire upon the enemy. He remained in this position until another rocket propelled grenade struck the vehicle, mortally wounding him. Sergeant Reitwiesner’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.