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) Joseph John Gerda, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations in Vietnam, while serving with Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, in action on 31 December 1963 to 1 January 1964. As an Advisor to a Vietnamese Ranger Battalion, Captain Gerda was accompanying the friendly element on a military operation when contact was made with a strong enemy force and developed into a battle that lasted 8 hours. Upon the initial contact with the enemy, he immediately advised his counterpart to pursue the hostile force which delayed their action. As the insurgents fell back to well-fortified positions, Captain Gerda bravely exposed himself to automatic weapons fire to make front line estimates of the situation, and then assisted in an attempt to block the enemy action. When supporting aircraft appeared on the scene, he remained exposed to the intense gun fire to direct the armed helicopter strikes against the enemy position. Then, when an additional enemy battalion attacked the west flank of the friendly force after 3 hours of heavy fighting, Captain Gerda ran to this position with elements of a rifle company and directed the engagement with the enemy. As the Vietnamese suffered approximately twenty casualties by this time, he moved from position to position to rally the forces and to assist in evacuating the wounded to safety. As darkness drew near and the defenders began to fight a delaying action, they were attacked viciously by a third enemy battalion. Despite the critical situation, Captain Gerda courageously made trips to all parts of the perimeter encouraging his counterparts to hold their position, and simultaneously exposed himself to mortar fire to guide supporting aircraft one enemy targets. Through his fortitude, determination, and professional skill, the Vietnamese forces were enabled to inflict heavy casualties upon the enemy and to repel the violent attacks of three enemy battalions. Captain Gerda’s conspicuous gallantry is in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.