Paul E. Fatka

The President of the United States takes Pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Paul E. Fatka, Airman First Class, U.S. Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force near Tuy Hoa Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, on 31 January 1969. On that date, while participating as a Pararescue Specialist during the successful rescue of an F-100 pilot, Airman Fatka, with complete disregard for his own safety, volunteered to be lowered one hundred and fifty feet by hoist to a steep, densely jungled mountainside to search for and recover the injured pilot. Severely hampered by dense undergrowth, he remained in the extremely hostile jungle for twenty minutes while hostile forces were converging on his location from one hundred meters away. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Airman Fatka has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.