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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Ronald David Schlittler (ASN: RA-19769674), United States Army, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force in the Republic of Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Schlittler distinguished himself on 23 July 1968, while acting as Platoon Sergeant with the First Platoon of Troop A, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, Americal Division. On that date, Sergeant Schlittler’s platoon was given the mission to move to a site near the village of Duc An, where the Second Platoon was in contact with a well-entrenched enemy force of undetermined size, armed with 75-mm. recoilless rifles, mortars, heavy automatic weapons and small arms. Immediately upon arriving at the site of the contact, Sergeant Schlittler unhesitatingly exposed himself to the intensive hostile fire as he directed elements of his platoon in a flanking maneuver on the enemy position. With expert timing and aggressive drive, he led his elements in a direct assault into the enemy fortifications. Unable to reach the enemy complex of trenches and bunkers, he dismounted his armored vehicle, and without regard for his own safety, exposed himself to the devastating hostile fire to lead several of his men in a dismounted assault on an enemy-held trench line. Sergeant Schlittler rushed into the trench line and with one violent blast from his personal weapon killed two of the North Vietnamese Army soldiers. Staff Sergeant Schlittler’s unquestionable gallantry and professional conduct while in close contact with a numerically superior enemy force are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.

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 Staff Sergeant Ronald David Schlittler (ASN: RA-19769674), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Troop A, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, Americal Division, in action on 27 February 1968. Staff Sergeant Schlittler distinguished himself by intrepid actions in the Republic of Vietnam while serving as a Scout Section Leader when his platoon made contact with a reinforced North Vietnamese Army company. With total disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Schlittler expertly maneuvered his track vehicle into an advantageous position and began raking the enemy fortification with devastating fire. So intense was his fire that his vehicle was able to penetrate the enemy’s perimeter. Once inside the enemy’s perimeter, Sergeant Schlittler courageously dismounted his vehicle and, armed only with his rifle and a few grenades, raced through the intense enemy fire towards the entrenched enemy positions. As he neared the trench, one of the enemy threw a grenade in his direction. Unhesitatingly, Sergeant Schlittler kicked the grenade back into the trench and killed two of the enemy. Then, while laying down a heavy base of fire, he undauntingly charged an enemy bunker, killing all five occupants. Staff Sergeant Schlittler’s unquestionable valor in close combat against a numerically superior hostile force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.

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 a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Ronald David Schlittler (ASN: RA-19769674), United States Army, for gallantry in action against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Schlittler distinguished himself by intrepid actions on 24 August 1968, while serving as a Squad Leader with the First Platoon of Troop A, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, Americal Division. On that date, the squadron was in heavy contact with a well-entrenched, regimental size force of North Vietnamese Army Regulars four miles northwest of Tam Ky. Assaulting enemy positions defended by recoilless rifles, anti-tank weapons, and an assortment of automatic weapons, an armored personnel carrier from Sergeant Schlittler’s platoon was hit by an enemy anti-tank round, which disabled it and wounded all crew members. Moving to the aid of his fellow soldiers, Sergeant Schlittler led a tank through the increasing volume of fire and connected a tow cable to the disabled tank. Completing this task, he extracted the tank from the area, saving all the injured crew members. Throughout the action, he repeatedly exposed himself to the intensive hostile fire as he led dismounted assaults against the enemy. On one occasion, he single-handedly attacked an enemy machine gun bunker and overran it, killing the insurgents and capturing the enemy machine gun and their personal weapons. Observing a trooper sustain a serious wound, Sergeant Schlittler bravely dashed across an open area through the intense hostile fire and dragged two wounded men to safety. Staff Sergeant Schlittler’s personal heroism, professional competence, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.