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) Ronald Glen Caldwell, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 29 May 1969 while serving as Commanding Officer of Company D, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Captain Caldwell was leading an armored team when it was directed to reinforce another team which was heavily engaged with a well-concealed and heavily-entrenched battalion-sized North Vietnamese Army force. Arriving at the scene of conflict, Captain Caldwell led his team in the assault, but moments later his tank was hit by an anti-tank grenade wounding him in the head and seriously injuring the other crew members. Refusing medical aid, Captain Caldwell pressed on with the attack into the heavy enemy fire. When his vehicle became disabled, he dismounted it and despite the heavy fire, moved to another vehicle from which he continued the assault. This tank received an intense volley of anti-tank grenades, severely damaging the communications system. Again Captain Caldwell ran through the hostile fire to take command of a different tank. His inspirational actions helped to rally the friendly elements as he continued to direct heavy suppressive fire against the enemy positions. Repeatedly he dismounted his tank in order to supervise medical attention to wounded personnel. Captain Caldwell’s unfailing leadership proved invaluable in neutralizing the enemy force which resulted in twenty North Vietnamese Army soldiers killed and one officer captured. Captain Caldwell’s gallant 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.

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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Armor) Ronald Glen Caldwell, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 13 August 1969 while serving as Commanding Officer of Company D, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Company D was on a reconnaissance mission with a company of Vietnamese Rangers when they were suddenly engaged by an enemy force using small arms, automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades. Four armored vehicles were disabled by anti-tank grenades, but Captain Caldwell directed his vehicles on line for an assault against the well-concealed enemy fortified positions. Using hand and arm signals, he positioned the rangers and dashed through the hail of fire to direct the soldiers. Several times he dismounted and dashed through the withering hail of hostile fire to give instructions to other vehicles and groups of soldiers to maintain the momentum of the assault. Captain Caldwell’s 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.