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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Terry Thomas Hodgkinson (ASN: RA-16938626), United States Army, for gallantry in action against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. First Lieutenant Hodgkinson distinguished himself by intrepid actions on 8 June 1969 while serving as a Platoon Leader with Company D, 3d Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. On that date, Lieutenant Hodgkinson was leading his platoon to establish an observation point near Landing Zone DEBBIE when he observed several Viet Cong soldiers moving through the underbrush directly to his front. Reacting immediately, he deployed his men and directed their fire against the insurgents, eliminating all of the enemy soldiers. Lieutenant Hodgkinson then regrouped his men and began moving back to the nearby fire support base. At this time, his element came under intense hostile fire from an unknown size Viet Cong force. Lieutenant Hodgkinson quickly directed his comrades to covered positions, but several men were pinned down in an exposed area and unable to maneuver. Realizing the urgency of the situation, Lieutenant Hodgkinson began moving to assist the trapped men. Despite the heavy volume of enemy fire throughout the area, he continued to close with the insurgents and succeeded in silencing a key position with hand grenades and rifle fire. Due to his courageous and timely actions, the personnel pinned down in the open area were able to withdraw and the enemy attack was repulsed. First Lieutenant Hodgkinson’s personal heroism, professional competence and devotion to duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.