The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Platoon Sergeant Julius Tedesco, United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Tedesco distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 24 May 1969 while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company A, 4th Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, on a reconnaissance in force mission in Kien Hoa Province. While he was serving as acting platoon leader, Sergeant Tedesco’s element came under fire from heavily fortified enemy bunkers. Sergeant Tedesco immediately led his platoon on a fearless assault, during the course of which one of the machine gunners was wounded and his weapon knocked from his hands. With complete disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Tedesco led two men and a medical aidman across 30 meters of open terrain to evacuate the wounded man and retrieve the weapon. He placed devastatingly effective covering fire on the bunkers to make the evacuation possible, then returned to his platoon’s position and obtained two M-72 light anti-tank weapons, with which he destroyed two bunkers. Sergeant Tedesco continued to lead his men on the assault exposing himself to personally direct the re-supply of ammunition and enabling his men to maintain an effective fire on the hostile positions for six hours. Sergeant Tedesco’s extraordinary heroism in close combat with an armed hostile force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.