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 Captain (Artillery) Vincent J. Tedesco, Jr. (ASN: OF-101185), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force, while serving with the 1st Battalion (Automatic Weapons) (Self Propelled), 44th Artillery Regiment, 108th Artillery Group, in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Tedesco distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 24 January 1968, as Commander of a Battalion Reaction Force dispatched to relieve an ambushed convoy near Camp J. J. Carroll. When he arrived at the scene of the battle, Captain Tedesco found that the savage enemy fire had inflicted many casualties on the convoy’s troops, including all the officers. Immediately taking charge of the situation, he moved throughout the ambush site, heedless of withering hostile fire, and organized the remaining men into a highly effective fighting force. Shouting words of encouragement, Captain Tedesco directed devastating machine gun and cannon fire on the enemy positions. He then helped administer first aid to the casualties and quickly organized a detail to move the more seriously wounded away from the ambush area. As the enemy fusillade intensified, Captain Tedesco returned to the midst of the raging battle and continued to inspire his troops’ fierce fighting. His fearless and determined leadership in the face of a numerically superior hostile force enabled his men to overcome the enemy’s heavy fire, break contact and extract the ambushed convoy. Captain Tedesco’s 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.