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 Staff Sergeant Arthur Ronald Strahin, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 17 April 1969 while serving as a tank commander with the 919th Engineer Company (Armored), 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while he was leading an armored escort through dense jungle, his tank suddenly received a direct rocket propelled grenade hit and was quickly enveloped by hostile automatic weapons and rocket fire from three sides. Despite the enemy barrage, Sergeant Strahin immediately began covering the hostile positions with suppressive fire and directing the other vehicles into an assault formation. Then disregarding his own safety, he charged directly into the center of the enemy fortifications and used his main gun to destroy several hostile rocket propelled grenade teams and force many of the enemy out of their bunkers into the open. As a result of Sergeant Strahin’s decisive and aggressive leadership, the planned enemy ambush was turned into a decisive friendly victory. Staff Sergeant Strahin’s courage and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.