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 Specialist Fifth Class Clifford E. Bridges, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Fifth Class Bridges distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 7 December 1967, as a Combat Medic of an Ambulance Helicopter of the 45th Medical Company, 68th Medical Group, 44th Medical Brigade, on a rescue mission near Cu Chi. His helicopter received an urgent request to evacuate twelve seriously wounded men and immediately flew to the battle area. The mission was undertaken by the crew despite the knowledge that several rescue ships had previously been shot down in the area. The pilot made an unhampered landing and Specialist Fifth Class Bridges began loading the patients. Murderous enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire suddenly erupted from a nearby tree line, riddling his helicopter. With four casualties loaded, the pilot ordered Specialist Fifth Class Bridges to climb aboard and took off to prevent further damage to the ship. The hostile barrage in the landing zone ceased, and the helicopter returned to rescue the remainder of the casualties. The enemy force launched a second fusillade on his ship, and he was wounded as rounds tore into the craft. Ignoring his wound and mounting damage to the helicopter, he remained on the ground until all of the injured were loaded. The pilot then took off and skillfully nursed the badly crippled ship to an airfield. Specialist Fifth Class Bridges’ gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.