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 Staff Sergeant William George Koutrouba (ASN: RA-11363661), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Koutrouba distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 10 October 1967, while serving as a Medical Aidman with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), during an enemy attack on the forward command post of the 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry in Que Sanh Province, Republic of Vietnam. Observing a number of wounded comrades lying in an exposed area, Sergeant Koutrouba, disregarding his own safety, exposed himself to the heavy enemy fire as he moved forward to assist his fallen comrades. While administering first aid to a wounded soldier, Sergeant Koutrouba spotted a hostile soldier nearby attempting to fire at him. Again disregarding his own safety, Sergeant Koutrouba engaged and killed the enemy soldier. Continually exposing himself to the intense hostile automatic weapons fire, Sergeant Koutrouba moved through the open area to prepare the wounded men for extraction by a medical evacuation helicopter. His courageous action helped save the lives of a number of his comrades. Sergeant Koutrouba’s gallant action is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant William George Koutrouba (ASN: RA-11363661), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Koutrouba distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 17 January 1969, while serving as Senior Medical Aidman of Company B, 5th Battalion (Airmobile), 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, during a combat mission in Binh Long Province, Republic of Vietnam. When his unit became heavily engaged with a large enemy force and sustained several casualties, Staff Sergeant Koutrouba exposed himself to the intense hostile fire as he moved to a forward fighting position to administer first aid and evacuate the wounded personnel. With complete disregard for his own safety, Staff Sergeant Koutrouba moved to within ten meters of the enemy positions to retrieve the wounded soldiers. His actions undoubtedly saved the lives of several soldiers. Staff Sergeant Koutrouba’s gallant actions is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.