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 Captain (Armor) William J. Staffa, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Troop A, 7th Armored Squadron, 1st Air Cavalry Regiment, 1st Aviation Brigade, in the Republic of Vietnam on 17 March 1970. Captain Staffa distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as lead pilot of an aero scout team engaged in a visual reconnaissance mission. While reconnoitering an area five mils west of Kion Long, his team came under intense automatic weapons and heavy machine gun fire from an enemy complex. Despite the intensity of the hostile fire, he made repeated passes through the area in an attempt to pinpoint the enemy locations. Having located the weapons sites, he then flew through intense enemy fire to mark two enemy machine gun positions for the orbiting gunships. Once marked, the gunships effectively eliminated the enemy positions. Shortly thereafter Captain Staffa spotted to sampans loaded with enemy soldiers attempting to escape the battle area, and once again effectively directed the gunships in a strike on the enemy. After refueling he returned to the area of operation and while screening to the south of the main hostile force, came upon an enemy re-supply column. Leading his scout team in an attack on t his column, he disorganized the enemy supply column and deprived the enemy force to the north of desperately needed ammunition. Despite continuous enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire he began searching through the tall grass for the remains of the dispersed enemy supply column. He continued to find enemy positions and direct gunship strikes on them until his aircraft was struck by enemy fire and severe vibrations forced him to return the damaged aircraft to a secure outpost. Captain Staffa’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against a numerically superior enemy was instrumental in handling the enemy a severe defeat. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.