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 Lieutenant Colonel (Medical Corps) Joseph R. Cataldo, United States Army, for gallantry in action on 21 November 1970 as a member of an all-volunteer joint U.S. Army and Air Force raiding force in the Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed heliborne assault mission to rescue United States military personnel held as prisoners of war at Son Tay prison in North Vietnam. This valiant effort was motivated by a deep compassion for his imprisoned comrades and a strong sense of military duty and national pride. Colonel Cataldo, a member of the command group of the raiding force, landed in the target area in the second assault helicopter. As he moved to his assigned security position, he came under fire from the enemy guard quarters. Disregarding this threat, he was able to establish his position and prepare to receive the released prisoners of war and wounded personnel. When the assault plan was suddenly changed, he was able to assist the leader of the command group in recalling his elements. To do so, he exposed himself once again to enemy small arms fire from across the landing zone. When airborne in the extraction helicopter he continued to administer to the wounded and injured while the helicopter was maneuvering violently in an effort to evade enemy Surface-to-Air Missiles. Colonel Cataldo’s gallant and unselfish actions reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.