The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Vincent De Santis (ASN: RA-51447781), United States Army, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the Battery B, 1st Battalion (Automatic Weapons) (Self Propelled), 44th Artillery Regiment, 108th Artillery Group, in the Republic of Vietnam. Staff Sergeant De Santis distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 24 January 1968, as leader of a self-propelled gun section sent to aid an ambushed convoy near Camp J. J. Carroll. He rapidly estimated the situation upon arrival at the battle site and maneuvered his vehicle to a position from which his guns delivered accurate and effective fires on entrenched hostile automatic weapons, recoilless rifle and mortar positions in the surrounding hills. While exposed to savage enemy fire, he was seriously wounded in the back. He refused medical aid and continued to direct his crew’s fire and to load the guns. An anti-tank round struck the rear of the turret, killing a cannoneer and wounding the rest of the crew. Wounded again, Sergeant De Santis still refused treatment and evacuated the casualties from the stricken vehicle. With bullets showering all around him, he insured that all the other wounded were removed from the battlefield to safety before he allowed himself to be attended. Staff Sergeant De Santis’ gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.