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 (Medical Service Corps) Frederick Ryan Grates (ASN: OF-104759), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Grates distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 3 march 1968, while serving as the Pilot of an Ambulance Helicopter of the 45th Medical Company, 68th Medical Group, 44th Medical Brigade, on a rescue mission near Dong Tam. Responding to an urgent evacuation request, Captain Grates had the aircraft readied and over the pickup area within a few minutes. The casualty was a member of an American platoon that had become separated from its company and was encircled by a main force of North Vietnamese Army troops entrenched in heavily fortified bunkers. As the fierce battle raged, several more casualties were suffered. Informed that the condition of the wounded was critical, Captain Grates volunteered to attempt an immediate rescue. He helped maneuver the helicopter through a barrage of hostile automatic weapons fire into the first pickup site and two casualties were rescued. He was informed that the next site lay closer to the enemy positions, and the troops there lacked any communications. Despite these additional dangers, once more he guided the ship through a hail of bullets. Although forced to hover to locate the exact position of the wounded, he staunchly withstood the fusillade until the casualties were loaded aboard. He repeated this act until six severely wounded soldiers were successfully extracted. Captain Grates’ 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.