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 Specialist Fourth Class Larry Allen Williamson (ASN: US-55857934), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Troop K, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in action in the Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Fourth Class Williamson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 May 1967 while serving as a side gunner on an armored vehicle during a fierce encounter with the enemy on Route 1 near Soui Cat, Vietnam. As the armored convoy moved down a road bordered on both sides with sparse brush and slight vegetation, it suddenly came under a murderous volume of recoilless rifle and automatic weapons fire from a numerically superior Viet Cong force. It was during the immediate burst of hostile fire that Specialist Williamson was severely wounded. Bravely disregarding his wounds and refusing medical evacuation, Specialist Williamson remained at this M-60 machine gun and directed his suppressive fire on Viet Cong positions. Without regard for personal safety Specialist Williamson refused to abandon his burning vehicle and continued to repel the insurgent attacks until his ammunition supply was depleted. It was at this point in the battle that Specialist Williamson was struck by a hostile round and was mortally wounded. Specialist Fourth Class Williamson’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against a numerically superior Viet Cong force was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.