The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Military Police Corps) Ronald D. Paliughi (ASN: 0-5331786), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Company A, 504th Military Police Battalion, 16th Military Police Group, 18th Military Police Brigade, in the Republic of Vietnam. First Lieutenant Paliughi distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 30 January 1968, during a combined Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army offensive on Nha Trang. The enemy attacks were unleashed during the early morning hours, and Lieutenant Paliughi immediately organized a relief force and proceeded to an American installation which was receiving heavy automatic weapons and small arms fire from a force of approximately thirty North Vietnamese. Armed with a grenade launcher, he entered a villa near the building occupied by the enemy and attempted to fire his weapon into the structure. Finding the range too short to allow the grenades to arm and explode, Lieutenant Paliughi raced across the bullet-swept street to a position behind a low stone wall. Braving relentless hostile fire, he placed a deadly barrage of grenade fire into the enemy-held building. He was informed that three American nurses were trapped in quarters adjacent to the insurgents’ location. Lieutenant Paliughi organized a rescue party, fearlessly led it across the street, and escorted the nurses to safety. He then directed fierce covering fire as friendly troops assaulted the stronghold and eliminated the enemy. First Lieutenant Paliughi’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.