SILVER STARS TO 4 EM FROM THE SOUTHERN CROSS FOR APRIL 13, 1969.

Electronic copy of article provided by Leslie Hines

TWO CO'S ALSO CITED

CHU LAI — Six Americal soldiers have received the nation's third highest award, the Silver Star, for extraordinary heroism.

SP4 Larry J. Tiller (Athens, Ga.), A Co., 3d Bn., 1st Inf., 11th Inf. Bde., was on a search and clear operation west of Quang Ngai City when his platoon was pinned down by heavy automatic weapons fire.

A radio-telephone operator SP4 Larry J. Tiller directed gunships and air strikes against the enemy position, and assisted in treating and evacuating the wounded.

Two members of a Ranger team from Co. G, 75th Inf. received the Silver Star when they and two other Rangers surprised seven enemy soldiers, killing six.

Sgt Richard T. Roth (Renton, Wash.), team leader, and SP4 Larry G. Mosley (Oakland, Calif.) routed the enemy and captured important documents.

CPT Sidney Ordway Columbus, Ga.), C.O. of D Co., 4th Bn. 31st Inf., 196th Inf. Bde., distinguished himself by leading his men against a well-entrenched enemy force.

Wounded by the enemy, CPT Ordway ignored his injuries to rally his men and call in artillery and gunship support. He continued to direct fire until he collapsed in the field.

Another 11th Inf. Bde. CO, Thomas L. Smith, Jr. (Long Island), A Co., 4th Bn., 21st Inf., heroically rallied his men when they were caught in an intense enemy crossfire.

Smith threw several grenades into the hostile emplacements and engaged two insurgents, killing them both.

Disregarding intense enemy fire, SP4 Billy D. Pearce (Hazel Park, Mich.), a squad leader with the 11th Bde.'s 3d Bn., 1st Inf., earned the Silver Star when be hurled hand grenades and fired his M-16 to silence an enemy ambush position.

(AMERICAL IO)

An original copy of this document was donated to the Americal Division Veterans Association (ADVA) by LTC Paul Parham who served as Information Officer for the Americal Division.