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 Captain (Infantry) Alan Mario Russo, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving as Executive Officer of Battery F, 79th Aerial Rocket Artillery Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Russo distinguished himself on 2 May 1972 while serving as Mission Commander of a Cobra gunship team in support of a medical evacuation (to save the) lives of 19 Army of the Republic of Vietnam soldiers and two American advisors who had been critically wounded in recent fighting at An Loc. Earlier attempts had resulted in three helicopter losses and several others had been damaged. Captain Russo volunteered to escort two medical evacuation helicopters to the site where the wounded awaited evacuation. As the fight neared its objective enemy gunners took it under intense fire. Recognizing the danger these sites posed to his flight he diverted the flight around the threat, and remained behind to engage the enemy. Upon reaching the pick-up site he saw that the medevac ships had come under mortar attack. His attacks on these positions momentarily suppressed this threat for the precious seconds needed to onload the wounded. As the rescue aircraft lifted from the pick up site, the other gunship came under intense anti-aircraft fire. Captain Russo’s instant response suppressed this threat just as enemy gunners bracketed the gunship. Although several hits were sustained as a result of the anti-aircraft fire the extraction was completed without loss of life or aircraft. Captain Russo’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.