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 Private First Class Randy M. Stetson (ASN: US-54988740), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations against a hostile force on 9 March 1969 while serving as a radio telephone operator with the Aero Rifle Platoon, Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date when the platoon entered a heavily fortified base camp, a flank a squad came under intense hostile fire and was pinned down. Private Stetson immediately began placing suppressive fire on the enemy positions so that his comrades could assault and silence them. As a friendly element was advancing toward one of the hostile fortifications, three of the men were wounded seriously and the rest of the element was pinned down by a hail of enemy automatic weapons fire. Disregarding his own safety, he dashed through the enemy fire to aid his wounded comrades. After moving them to a bomb crater where they could be given first aid, he single handedly assaulted one of the hostile fortifications. He then returned to the bomb crater and called for an evacuation helicopter. While Private Stetson was loading the casualties on the aircraft, it was hit by enemy fire and crashed. In an attempt to shield his comrades from the hostile fire, he was critically wounded. Private First Class Stetson’s dedication to duty, extraordinary courage and deep concern for his comrades were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.