(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Sergeant Jose Manuel Blanco, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force while serving in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM during the Battle for Baghdad in March/April 2003. Sergeant Blanco was a gunner on a Bradley Fighting Vehicle when he and his comrades came under attack. After recovering from the initial blast that had knocked him out of the turret to the bottom of the vehicle, Sergeant Blanco shook off his dizziness, treated his wounded crewmates, and moved them out of harm’s way. Seeing that the turret gun had not been damaged, Sergeant Blanco crawled back into the turret, placed the gun in manual mode, and started to engage the enemy, destroying an enemy recoilless rifle team and four rocket propelled grenade teams before help arrived. Sergeant Blanco’s gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.