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 Specialist Fourth Class Ramon C. Cortinas (ASN: RA-15794440), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Specialist Four Cortinas distinguished himself by valor while serving as a medic assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate) attached to Company D. On 6 November 1967, Company D was on a search and destroy operation west of Dak To, Republic of Vietnam when it came in contact with an estimated North Vietnamese Army battalion. When the initial burst of automatic weapons fire was heard, the company was stopped with a patrol from the second platoon to the front towards the fire. At this point, the patrol pulled back with the enemy assaulting the line and inflicting heavy casualties on the front element. Specialist Cortinas was in the area of the first platoon aiding some of the initial casualties who had made their way to that area. He had finished his work there when the first platoon leader called him forward to give aid to the company commander. Under intense and heavy automatic weapons fire and with complete disregard for his personal safety, he moved down to the company commander and administered first aid. Specialist Cortinas, then noticing a wounded man on the line, moved to the area of contact still under heavy fire and applied first aid to the man. As he was finishing with this man, the enemy charged even closer to the line and an air strike fell dangerously close. Thinking only of his fallen comrades, he threw himself on top of his fellow soldier to protect him. Specialist Cortinas then moved to another part of the line to aid other wounded troopers. While he was aiding these individuals, the enemy assaulted again, endangering Cortinas’ life and duties. By this time, he had finished his work and began evacuating dead and wounded to a collection point. While he was doing this he was wounded. Although unable to work any longer, he shouted words of encouragement to his buddies until the fighting at last was over. Specialist Cortinas shrugged aside all dangers to his life and thought only of his duty. His actions inspired the men of his unit to continue their missions and saved many lives. Specialist Cortinas’ bravery was in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.