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 Oscar Sanchez (ASN: RA-18440583), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving as Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle Commander with Company D, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date Company D was engaged in the assault of an enemy held objective when Sergeant Sanchez’ vehicle received a direct hit from an antitank rocket, wounding him and the entire crew. Finding that all the vehicle’s weapons were damaged and inoperative, Sergeant Sanchez, with a total disregard for his own safety in the face of the intense hostile fire, dismounted his vehicle with a light antitank weapon. Locating the enemy soldier who had fired upon his vehicle in a nearby bunker, Sergeant Sanchez slew him. Again disregarding the heavy volume of hostile fire, he returned to his vehicle to administer first aid to his crew and evacuate them to a rear area for further medical treatment. Ignoring his own painful wounds, Sergeant Sanchez refused medical attention and returned to the battlefield on another vehicle and remained there until the objective was taken. Sergeant Sanchez’ unwavering devotion to duty and personal bravery were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.