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 Bobbie R. Pridmore (ASN: RA-16778100), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy while serving with Troop A, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division in the Republic of Vietnam. On 23 February 1966 Private First Class Pridmore was serving as gunner/observer in an OH-13S, reconnaissance helicopter, on a low level reconnaissance mission southwest of Bong Son, Republic of Vietnam. Both aircraft in the team suddenly began receiving intense automatic weapons fire. The aircraft in which Private First Class Pridmore was riding was hit several times and the radios rendered inoperable. Private First Class Pridmore immediately engaged the enemy positions with his door mounted machine gun. The team leader’s aircraft had been hit and crashed into a rice paddy adjacent to the enemy position. The Viet Cong, estimated to be platoon strength, attempted to reach the downed aircraft, but were driven off by the deadly and accurate fire placed on them by both Private First Class Pridmore and his pilot. The pilot then approached the crashed helicopter and hovered near the site amid the hostile fire, to check for survival. Upon seeing that one man was still alive and pinned beneath the wreckage, Private First Class Pridmore, with complete disregard for hi8s own safety, immediately dismounted. The aircraft again began receiving hits from the advancing enemy force and Private First Class Pridmore dropped to the ground and took them under fire until the pilot could get the badly damaged aircraft out of the area. Private First Class Pridmore killed three of the enemy and caused the remainder to halt their advance and withdraw. He moved from position to position around the area to take advantage of the most effective fields of fire. He then exposed himself to the hostile fire as he moved to the crashed helicopter and attempted to free the man trapped in the wreckage. Unable to do so, he administered first aid and comforted the injured man as much as possible. During four additional attempts by the enemy to reach his position, Private First Class Pridmore moved about the small area and single-handedly foiled their attempts. He remained in the area until a rescue force could be air assaulted into a nearby field and had reached the area. Private First Class Pridmore’s gallantry and determination in the face of hostile fire are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.