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 Sergeant Holbert Eugene Davis (ASN: RA-16876473), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force while serving with Company A, 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, on 5 October 1967 near Chu Lai in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Davis distinguished himself by exceptionally heroic actions on that date when his squad, while on a search and destroy mission, was suddenly brought under heavy enemy automatic weapons and mortar fire and pinned down. Without regard for his own safety, Sergeant Davis rushed through the hostile fire giving his men encouragement and pointing out enemy positions while remaining fully exposed to the intense fire. Although wounded himself, he rushed out onto the battlefield on several occasions and pulled wounded men to safe areas where medical aid could be administered. Later Sergeant Davis observed a small enemy element attempting to overrun a machinegun position and, again without regard for his own safety, charged the enemy and succeeded in forcing them to withdraw. As the enemy pulled back, Sergeant Davis was struck by hostile fire and fatally wounded. Sergeant Davis’ outstanding display of gallantry and his intense devotion to duty even at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.