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 pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Ronald Wayne Burkhart (ASN: RA-19881753), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving actual conflict with a hostile force on 5 February 1968 while serving with Company A, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 199th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light), in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Sergeant Burkhart was serving as a squad leader on a reconnaissance in force operation in Gia Dinh Province when his company received heavy small arms and rocket fire. Exposing himself to the intense enemy fire, Sergeant Burkhart moved from position to position directing his squad’s fire and encouraging his men. Seeing one of his comrades wounded, he again exposed himself to the hostile fire to administer first aid and to help evacuate the injured man. With complete disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Burkhart continued to advance against the entrenched Viet Cong. During the ensuing fire fight, his squad destroyed two enemy positions and killed ten insurgents. At the same time, Sergeant Burkhart, though seriously wounded, continued to place effective fire upon the Viet Cong and killed two more enemy soldiers. Because of his exceptional courage and skillful leadership under fire, his company was able to rout the Viet Cong force. Sergeant Burkhart’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.