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 Command Sergeant Major Ronald T. Riling, II, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Command Sergeant Major for the 1st Brigade Combat Team, attached to the 82d Airborne Division, during combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, near Rammadi, Iraq, on 6 April 2003. On that date Command Sergeant Major Riling and his brigade commander were notified that Marines attached to their brigade were pinned down by enemy fire. He quickly organized his forces and began moving to the embattled Marines. When his own elements entered the main town of Rammadi, they immediately came under direct fire coming from every direction. The Marine squad had been pinned down by snipers and was in desperate circumstances when Command Sergeant Major Riling’s physical-security detachment arrived on the scene. The squad leader was dead, lying in the middle of the street, and three of the seven Marines were seriously wounded. The senior remaining Marine was a corporal. Command Sergeant Major Riling’s force fought its way through withering enemy fire and linked up with the Marines where they were absorbed into the team and fought their way out together. After Command Sergeant Major Riling’s team evacuated the injured Marines and recovered a Marine squad leader’s body, another Marine platoon in the area came under attack by insurgents armed with rocket-propelled grenades. Command Sergeant Major Riling directed two Bradley Fighting Vehicles from the brigade’s reserve into the fight to squelch the attacks. Command Sergeant Major Riling’s gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.