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 First Class Ralph Rhoden, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations in Vietnam on 8 March 1964. Sergeant Rhoden was serving as an Advisor to a ranger battalion of the armed forces of the Republic of Vietnam when the unit suddenly came under attack from hostile forces and suffered heavy casualties. During the ensuing engagement, Sergeant Rhoden displayed fortitude, professional skill, and complete disregard for his own personal safety by exposing himself to the small arms and automatic weapons as he advised the rangers in the employment of their weapons. He then assisted in moving to a relatively safe area where preparations were made for a helicopter evacuation landing site, and although the hostile forces soon located the working party, the construction continued despite the intense sniper fire. While waiting for the helicopter, he courageously stood apart from the wounded to draw the enemy fire toward himself, and then the helicopter arrived, he continued to expose himself to the gunfire to help load the wounded. During the second evacuation operation, he completely ignored the hail of bullets striking close to his body as he guided the helicopter to the landing pad. Sergeant Rhoden’s conspicuous gallantry is in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects credit upon himself and the military service.