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 Sergeant Cesar A. Urenda, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 8th Aerial Port Squadron, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, in action against the enemy at a landing zone in Northern Cambodia, from 23 June 1970 to 24 June 1970. On those dates, Sergeant Urenda, while working as an Air Traffic Controller, voluntarily exposed himself to hostile mortar fire and ground attacks while working to free a C-123 which was stuck in the mud at this remote field. He alternately controlled air traffic, dug with hand shovel, and operated a road grader, from his unprotected position in the center of the runway, even though one grader operator had already been lost to sniper fire earlier in the day. For two days, rocket, mortar and ground attacks were launched against the camp. Sergeant Urenda courageously and without hesitation directed helicopter gunships overhead during these attacks to suppress the advancing hostile forces. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Urenda has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.