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 Stanley DeRuggiero, United States Army, for gallantry in action on 17 June 1968, while serving as Fire Team Leader, 3d Squad, 3rd Platoon, Company C, 4th Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, during intense close combat near Bao Loc, Vietnam. Directed to withdraw after Company C violently assaulted a Viet Cong Main Force Battalion Basecamp, the wounded Fire Team Leader elected to collect, administer first aid, personally guard and evacuate three badly wounded paratroopers from no man’s land between the lines of combat. With total disregard for his own life for more than five hours, Specialist Four DeRuggiero positioned himself in front of three wounded, fought off several Viet Cong flanking attacks with hand grenades and well-aimed M-16 fire, provided care and assurance to the wounded and then shielded another Soldier who came out to help drag them to safety one by one. Specialist Four DeRuggiero maintained this guard position alone. Only when the third wounded paratrooper was safely inside the Platoon perimeter did Specialist Four DeRuggiero withdraw to safety. Specialist Four DeRuggiero’s personal bravery and exceptional Gallantry in Action under intense enemy fire reflect great credit upon himself, his Airborne Unit and the United States Army.