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 Marshel E. Ransford, United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Troop B, 7th Armored Squadron, 1st Air Cavalry, 1st Aviation Brigade, in the Republic of Vietnam on 26 February 1969. Sergeant Ransford distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as point squad leader on a combat assault operation in Binh Thuan Province. An aero-rifle platoon was inserted to perform a ground reconnaissance of a suspected enemy bunker complex. As the lead element entered the area, the entire platoon came under intense automatic and semi-automatic weapons fire from several of the bunkers. Four members of the platoon were hit instantly and went down. Sergeant Ransford was knocked to the ground and his weapon disabled, forcing him to withdraw to a more favorable position. From this location, he saw a wounded member of his squad lying exposed to the enemy fire. Immediately, with complete disregard for his own safety, he crawled forward through the curtain of hostile fire and dragged the wounded man back to the safety of the platoon. Taking the man’s weapon, he again crawled forward to the position between the platoon and the enemy and covered the withdrawal of the platoon’s wounded. He remained at this position until he had completely expended his ammunition and was again forced to return. There he secured an M-60 machinegun and all available ammunition and again moved into the enemy’s fire, accompanied by the rest of the point squad. With his increased fire power, he forced the enemy to withdraw, and from his forward position, he directed airstrikes by armed helicopters against the fleeing enemy. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.