The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Specialist Fourth Class Ricardo L. Rios, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company D, 3d Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Rios distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 7 December 1969 while serving as a medical aidman on a combat operation in Kontum Province. As the point element of Specialist Rios’ platoon was nearing a small stream bed, a well-concealed enemy force initiated contact with small arms and light machine gun fire. Specialist Rios discovered that the point man was wounded and rushed from the rear to his aid. En route, he was seriously wounded in the arm by sniper fire, but he stubbornly moved forward, braving the intense enemy fire to treat the injured man. Threading his way back through enemy fire, he treated two other wounded platoon members. Meanwhile, the point man was wounded again and lapsed into unconsciousness. Specialist Rios moved forward, and although the constant target of enemy snipers, pulled the point man to the safety of nearby concealment. Shortly thereafter, the wounded machine gunner called for a resupply of ammunition. Specialist Rios responded by making three trips with ammunition from the rear to the machine gunner’s position. On the fourth trip, Specialist Rio’s wounds no longer allowed him to continue and he fell unconscious. Specialist Four Rios’ extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.