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 Donald J. O’Brien (ASN: US-55862701), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Private First Class O’Brien distinguished himself by heroic actions in the Republic of Vietnam. Private First Class O’Brien was serving as a Medic with 1st Platoon, Company B, 2d Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 196th Light Infantry Brigade, during the evening of 4 November and morning of 5 November 1966, when his platoon was subjected to heavy automatic weapons and mortar fire. Many casualties were inflicted by the enemy fire and Private O’Brien received a fragment wound in the right eye. Disregarding his own wound, Private O’Brien treated the other wounded and directed their evacuation. After administering aid to his own unit, Private O’Brien proceeded to aid an adjacent unit which had sustained heavy casualties. As he made his way under the heavy barrage of enemy fire, it appeared that he would be unable to reach the adjacent unit, but his monumental perseverance and devotion to duty meant more to him than his own safety. Upon reaching the stranded unit he administered aid to their wounded. Throughout the night, Private O’Brien made several trips back and forth between the units to treat other wounded personnel and direct their evacuation. Private O’Brien’s conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.