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 Captain (Infantry) Stephen Michael Francia, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy on 1 February 1970, while serving as the Commanding Officer of Company B, 6th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, contact was made with an enemy force, believed to be of regimental size. During the ensuing firefight, Captain Francia, with total disregard for his personal safety, maneuvered towards the enemy positions containing three reinforced bunkers. He personally destroyed each one by throwing hand grenades, thus stopping the hostile fire that was coming from those positions. Captain Francia then organized his elements to block off all possible escape routes that the enemy could use and called in air strikes and artillery fire onto the target area. In order to accurately adjust the artillery onto the target, Captain Francia placed himself in an exposed position despite the heavy small arms fire of the enemy element. Captain Francia’ actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.