(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Staff Sergeant John J. Zamarripa, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 3d Infantry Division, during combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, on 30 October 2007, in Iraq. On that date, while riding through Salman Pak in a Humvee with one Bradley leading and another behind, Staff Sergeant Zamarripa’s vehicle was rocked as he witnessed the smoke from a powerful explosion engulf the Bradley before him. After the smoke cleared, he saw the ramp door laying beside his Humvee and rushed to the Bradley through the dissipating smoke only to find three of his soldiers who had been riding in the troop compartment had been killed in the attack. Reduced to two vehicles and dealing with several casualties, Staff Sergeant Zamarripa and his Platoon Leader, First Lieutenant Ross Pixler, were still under intense fire and Lieutenant Pixler, who had a broken arm and ankle, went to the radio in the other Bradley, coordinated close-air support and kept his platoon under control while Staff Sergeant Zamarripa treated and evacuated the other wounded soldiers and established a security perimeter under intense fire from small arms, mortars and rocket-propelled grenades. Staff Sergeant Zamarripa’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, his unit, and the United States Army.