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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant David Philip Porreca (ASN: 0-5018778), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force. Captain Porreca distinguished himself as Commanding Officer, Company B, 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 61st Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized), during a search and destroy mission near Khe Sanh. At 0330 hours, on 18 June 1969, the 20th North Vietnamese Army Sapper Company and an infantry company of North Vietnamese Regulars initiated a strong assault upon the company’s night defensive perimeter. The initial momentum of the assault enabled eight North Vietnamese Army soldiers to overrun a position near the Command Post. Captain Porreca and his Command Post personnel successfully engaged the eight enemy soldiers with grenades and small arms fire. During his efforts to maintain the perimeter, he was thrown into the air when a satchel charge impacted near him. He maintained his composure and continued to direct the defense. Moving through enemy fire to aid the wounded, he sustained shrapnel wounds of the leg. Despite severe pain, he assisted his artillery forward observer in directing fire on the advancing enemy. Through his courageous leadership he saved the lives of many soldiers while dealing a crushing blow to a superior enemy force. Captain Porreca’s courageous efforts are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.