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 Captain (Field Artillery) Henry Francis Simon, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 18 April 1969 while serving as an Artillery Liaison Officer with the 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date he monitored a call from the squadron’s Troop B for a medical evacuation helicopter. Later he heard that the other helicopters in the area would not land because the landing zone was too small, because it was receiving intense enemy small arms fire and because the grass and trees in the area were burning out of control. Nevertheless, Captain Simon directed his aircraft into the landing zone and assisted in loading the most seriously wounded soldiers on board. Realizing that several trips would be required, he decided to remain on the ground to prepare the other casualties fore evacuation. When all of the wounded had been flown from the area he stayed with the ground unit to coordinate any evacuations that might be required later. As he was riding on the troop commander’s vehicle to a night defensive position, the armored column suddenly came under intense small arms, automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fire from a large, well-concealed enemy force. Disregarding the hostile fusillade, he began placing accurate machine gun fire on the enemy emplacements. Stopping only once in order to move a friendly casualty from and exposed area to safety, Captain Simon continued raking the hostile positions with heavy suppressive fire until the enemy force had been routed. Captain Simon’s outstanding courage, devotion to duty and deep concern for the welfare of his fellow soldiers were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.