Walter WAYNE Cunningham

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Walter Wayne Cunningham, Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Troop E, 17th Calvary, 173rd Airborne Brigade, as a point man of his platoon. At approximately 1000 hours, Specialist Cunningham’s platoon was moving through high elephant grass in Tuy Hoa Province when it came upon a woodline and fell under heavy automatic weapons fire from an estimated North Vietnamese squad. Specialist Cunningham unhesitatingly rushed the enemy force, firing his weapon and throwing grenades. He had almost reached the enemy position when he was shot and killed. By exposing himself to heavy fire and rushing the enemy, he displayed an aggressive and professional attitude and caused the enemy to withdraw without inflicting heavy casualties to the rest of his platoon. Specialist Cunningham’s personal courage materially contributed to the success of the platoon in discovering and routing an enemy ambush. Specialist Cunningham’s extraordinary heroism in close combat was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.