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 Specialist Fourth Class Alfred Joseph Balducci (ASN: US-52721056), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Troop B, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 1 April 1968 in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Specialist Balducci was serving as the acting commander of an armored cavalry assault vehicle with his troop during a reconnaissance in force operation with an infantry unit at the northern end of the Iron Triangle. As the force entered an enemy base camp, it became subjected to a heavy volume of small arms, automatic weapons, and rocket fire from a well-entrenched North Vietnamese unit. Specialist Balducci immediately began placing rapid and accurate machine gun fire on the insurgents’ positions. He noticed several comrades lying in an open area to his right flank, and while his gunner put forth covering fire, he moved to assist them. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he carried the wounded men through the hail of hostile rounds in order to move them to the relative safety of his vehicle. Specialist Balducci then had the track driven to the landing zone at the rear so that the casualties could be evacuated. He returned to the area of heavy enemy contact and continued his devastating fire on the insurgents which resulted in the death of at least four enemy soldiers. The courageous initiative and professionalism displayed by Specialist Balducci during the hazardous situation were instrumental in saving friendly lives, and significantly contributed toward the successful outcome of the encounter. Specialist Fourth Class Balducci’s unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.