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 Julio J. Maldonado-Figueroa, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations in Vietnam, on 19 October and 20 October 1963. As the only American Advisor accompanying a two-company heliborne lift, Sergeant Maldonado-Figueroa demonstrated fortitude, courage, and professional competence during a military operation involving Vietnamese forces. Immediately upon landing in the objective area, an open rice paddy, the Vietnamese units came under intense grazing automatic weapons fire from concealed hostile forces, and in 10 minutes sustained a death toll of 150 and 35 wounded. Despite the fierce attack, he displayed complete disregard for his own personal safety and remained in range of the heavy gun fire to advise the Task Force Commander. When the hostile forces jammed the radio transmissions between the Task Force Commander and the Vietnamese Air Force planes overhead, Sergeant Maldonado-Figueroa manned his radio and succeeded in contacting an American Advisor in the air to request support. While the hostile forces took advantage of the heavy rainfall throughout the hours of darkness, which precluded air support, he inspired his Vietnamese comrades to hold their positions and, on the following morning, encouraged their commander to pursue the effort in the defense of their homeland. With deep concern for the fallen soldiers, he assisted in the evacuation of the dead and wounded by calling for and providing guidance for the maneuvers of the evacuation helicopter. Sergeant Maldonado-Figueroa’s perseverance, sound advice, and gallantry in action are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the military services.