The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Henry Richard Hausman, Jr., United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2^nd Battalion, 2^nd Infantry Regiment, 1^st Infantry Division, in the vicinity of Phuoc Long, Republic of Vietnam on 27 May 1969.  On this date, Private First Class Hausman was serving as a recoilless rifle gunner with his mechanized reconnaissance scout platoon on an operation to reinforce a beleaguered friendly element.  Upon reaching the area of contact, Private First Class Hausman’s unit was subjected to a vicious North Vietnamese Army small arms, automatic weapons, and rocket-propelled grenade fusillade from well-fortified positions.  With complete disregard for his personal safety, he ignored the enemy barrage raking the area and immediately returned intense fire on the insurgents.  When several casualties were sustained on another armored vehicle, he braved a hail of hostile rounds and placed suppressive fire which enabled medical aidmen to evacuate the injured personnel to a more tenable location.  While continuing to destroy enemy bunkers with devastating recoilless rifle barrages, Private First Class Hausman was mortally wounded.  His intrepid determination, selfless concern for his comrades, and exemplary courage were instrumental in saving soldiers’ lives, and significantly contributed to the successful outcome of the encounter.  Private First Class Hausman’s unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1^st Infantry Division, and the United States Army. 

Private First Class Rick Hausman played football for the Ohio State University in 1968 and entered the service from Hilliard, Ohio.