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 Major (Infantry), [then Captain] John D. Ramsey (ASN: 0-72778), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations in the Republic of Vietnam, on 18 August 1964, while serving as Senior United States Army Advisor to the 33d Ranger Battalion, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. As Senior Advisor, Major Ramsey demonstrated fortitude and professional skill in a search and destroy operation in the Viet Cong infested Thanh Dien Forest area, Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam. At approximately 1030 hours, the lead elements of the ARVN battalion came under heavy small arms fire from an estimated platoon of Viet Cong located to the battalion’s front and right flank. With his lead company pinned down, the ARVN Battalion Commander, thinking he had encountered the main defensive position of the Viet Cong, maneuvered his remaining companies to the left in order to envelop the Viet Cong position. Crossing an open area, the entire battalion became pinned down by intense small arms and mortar fire, and it was apparent it had stumbled into the killing zone of a strong Viet Cong box-type ambush. At this point, the ARVN Battalion Commander was hesitant to take action. Recognizing the vulnerability of the battalion’s exposed position, Major Ramsey, with complete disregard for his own safety, exposed himself time and again to devastating enemy fire, encouraging and calming the Vietnamese, firing his individual weapon, directing fire support efforts, and assisting the wounded. Through his personal intervention and his demonstrated courage and professional bearing in battle, the ARVN battalion was able to gain fire superiority and mount a successful counterattack against the main Viet Cong positions, causing them to withdraw leaving their dead and weapons on the battlefield. Major Ramsey’s determination, indomitable courage, and presence of mind under fire turned what could have been a disastrous ambush into an overwhelming victory for the South Vietnamese Government. His conspicuous gallantry is in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the military services.