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 Richard Frank Gentile (ASN: RA-11809542), United States Army, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Gentile distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 15 October 1968 while serving as the recovery sergeant on a helicopter extracting a MACV Recondo School reconnaissance team which was in contact with a vastly superior enemy force. The ship was unable to touch down because of dense brush and rope ladders were lowered to the students and their advisor. Sergeant Gentile descended a ladder to assist a soldier who had sprained his wrist and was unable to climb, but the man fell to the ground before he could reach him. A rig was then lowered to the trainee and Sergeant Gentile returned to the ship’s skid to assist in the extractions. Suddenly he spotted an activated fragmentation grenade which had fallen from the belt of one of the students to the floor of the helicopter. Risking his life to save his comrades, he grabbed the grenade and, leaping from the ship, threw it into the tree line where it exploded almost immediately. The soldier who was holding his safety strap managed to support his dangling body until he swung to the rope ladder and re-boarded the helicopter. Sergeant Gentile’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.