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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second 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 7 December 1968, while serving as Senior Medical Aidman with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Battalion (Airmobile), 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), during an enemy attack. When his unit’s perimeter came under an intense enemy mortar attack and several casualties were sustained, Sergeant Koutrouba exposed himself to the hostile barrage as he left the security of his bunker and crossed an open area to administer first aid to the wounded soldiers. Realizing that the casualties needed to be evacuated to a more secure area, he utilized a nearby truck. Although enemy mortar rounds were exploding within the proximity of his position, Sergeant Koutrouba continued with his mission and successfully evacuated the wounded personnel. His 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 (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.