The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Gianoulis Roussos, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Third Platoon Commander, Company B, SECOND Reconnaissance Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), In support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. On 7 March 2008, while conducting an Aero Scout zone reconnaissance mission in support of Operation GHADAF, Captain Roussos’ vehicle came under intense small arms and machinegun fire from five heavily armed insurgents. As Captain Roussos’ vehicle approached a disabled pick-up truck, three armed insurgents with AK-47 assault rifles exited the vehicle and immediately began to engage his vehicle with accurate and intense small arms fire. A fourth insurgent ran to the back of the truck and lifted up a blue tarp in the truck bed, revealing a fifth insurgent lying in the prone position and armed with a PKC machine gun. Captain Roussos’ turret gunner immediately engaged the insurgents with his machinegun, expending all of his ammunition in the process. In an attempt to draw fire from the turret gunner who was now reloading his weapon, Captain Roussos delivered a torrent of rounds down-range, conducting three speed reloads of his weapon as he charged towards the insurgents, personally killing two of them. His courageous actions drew fire from his turret gunner, which enabled him to finish reloading his weapon and resume firing on the remaining insurgents. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Captain Roussos reflected great credit upon himself and upheld then highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.