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 Ronald Burk Bishop (ASN: US-56590565), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Bishop distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 10 July 1969 while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company A, 5th Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, on an air mobile operation in the Plain of Reeds. Immediately upon landing, the platoon came under crippling fire from a large Viet Cong force in well entrenched positions. Ignoring the intense hostile fire, Sergeant Bishop boldly moved forward to establish and direct return fire. When he saw that some of his men had been wounded, he showed total disregard for his own safety as he exposed himself to the withering enemy fire to assist in their evacuation. Sergeant Bishop then courageously led an assault on the hostile positions, with such devastating effect that the Viet Cong were forced to retreat. Staff Sergeant Bishop’s extraordinary heroism in close combat with an armed hostile force was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.