The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Robert R. Bodo (ASN: RA-15783038), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force while serving with the 176th Aviation Company, 14th Combat Aviation Battalion, Americal Division, in action on 15 May 1967 in the vicinity of Duc Pho, Republic of Vietnam. Private First Class Bodo distinguished himself by intrepid actions while serving as a gunner aboard a UH-1D helicopter on a mission to reinforce a unit of the 101st Airborne Division which was in contact with an enemy force of unknown size. The battle plan called for the lift ships to insert reinforcements and, at the same time, evacuate the wounded and dead. On the first trip into the area, intense hostile fire was encountered. Private Bodo, on his first mission as a door gunner, provided accurate suppressive fire as three wounded paratroopers were taken aboard the aircraft and flown from the area. While they were transporting the wounded men to a medical facility, another request for medical evacuation was received. On the second sortie into the landing zone, the enemy automatic weapons fire was much more intense. As the aircraft landed, Private Bodo observed a wounded soldier rise up in the high grass to make his way to the ship, only to be hit again by enemy fire. A comrade of the wounded man went to his aid but he was also wounded and pinned down. Without concern for his own safety, Private Bodo left the aircraft and ran 40 meters through automatic weapons and mortar fire to aid the wounded men. He carried one man and assisted the other across the bullet-swept terrain to the waiting helicopter. Two other wounded soldiers were then placed aboard and a rapid departure was made in spite of emergency flight conditions in half the aircraft’s systems. Private Bodo and the crew chief administered first aid to the men while en route to a safe area for transfer of the wounded to a dust-off aircraft. Private First Class Bodo’s conspicuous display of gallantry in the face of hostile fire is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.