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 First Lieutenant (Armor) Howard M. Sisson, Jr., United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 15 December 1969 while serving as a platoon leader with Troop F, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while on a reconnaissance mission in dense jungle, his troop encountered an intense barrage of mortar, rocket propelled grenade, small arms and automatic weapons fire from two companies of North Vietnamese soldiers. During the initial moments of contact, an assault vehicle was struck by three rocket propelled grenades, injuring the crew. Immediately Lieutenant Sisson placed accurate suppressive fire upon the enemy positions. Noticing that the disabled vehicle could not maneuver under its own power, he directed his vehicle into a position to protect it from the enemy fire. When a box of hand flares ignited and threatened to detonate the vehicle’s supply of ammunition, Lieutenant Sisson climbed down from the cupola and removed the flares. Although he had been critically wounded by small arms fire, he retained control of the platoon, insuring all were accounted for and the wounded evacuated. First Lieutenant Sisson’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.