David W. Shepheard

By direction of the President, as established by the Act of Congress, 9 July 1918, and USARV Message 16695, dated 1 July 1966. The Silver Star medal is presented to David W. Shepheard, 05340087, Second Lieutenant (Infantry), United States Army. For gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: On this date, Lieutenant Shepheard was serving as a platoon leader with his company during a reconnaissance in force operation in the vicinity of the village of Chanh Luu. The unit suddenly became subjected to intense hostile small arms, automatic weapons, and rocket fire from a Viet Cong company. Lieutenant Shepheard immediately ran to the point of heaviest enemy contact and deployed his men into good defensive positions. He moved about through the hail of hostile rounds in order to direct his mens’ fire for maximum effectiveness. Two of his men were forced to remain under cover only a few meters from an enemy position, and when an armored personnel carrier went to their aid it was hit by a round which caused all of the occupants to become casualties. Lieutenant Shepheard then organized a team to assist the wounded men. While others assisted the men in the track, he maneuvered forward through an area raked by very heavy fire toward the enemy bunker and managed to pull the two wounded men nearby to relative safety. As his platoon withdrew so that air and artillery fire support could be employed, the insurgents renewed their assault. Lieutenant Shepheard then directed his men in putting forth devastating fire on the assailants, which forced their retreat. His extraordinary courage and dynamic leadership during the perilous situation were instrumental in saving several lives, and significantly contributed toward the successful outcome of the encounter. Second Lieutenant Shepheard’s unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.