The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Ralph Charles Schwartz (NSN: 0-604303/1310), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while participating in aerial flight as a light helicopter Fire Team Leader in the Republic of Vietnam from 31 January 1968 to 3 February 1968. At 0400, 31 January the Communist insurgent forces launched a full scale ground attack on the Kien Hoa provincial capitol of Ben Tre, as part of their nation wide TET offensive. From the first launch at 0415, Lieutenant Commander Schwartz flew continually until 1800 that day and rendered invaluable assistance to the town’s hard-pressed defenders. His fire team made numerous attacks with rocket and machine guns in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire with the pinpoint accuracy of his fire team contributing substantially to the thwarting of the enemy offensive as well as inflicting heavy damage on enemy held positions. On the afternoon of the 31st of January Lieutenant Commander Schwartz led his fire team through heavy anti-aircraft fire to strike Viet Cong positions which were firing mortars and rockets into the MACV compound. The attacks left the river bank aflame and silenced the enemy positions. Later, with lowering ceilings and restricted visibility hampering flight he led his fire team against a battalion size Viet Cong ground attack on the MACV compound. Although he was again met by heavy anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant Commander Schwartz continued to strike the enemy utilizing low level attacks and succeeded in stemming the enemy’s drive. At 1650 of that day Lieutenant Commander Schwartz led his team in strikes on the market place at Mo Cay where the enemy had concentrated for a ground attack on the sub-sector compound. He personally placed six direct rocket hits on the Viet Cong concentration again thwarting the enemy offensive. Lieutenant Commander Schwartz relinquished the fire team only after fatigue and a shrapnel wound forced him to be relieved. On 2 February Lieutenant Commander Schwartz provided overhead cover for River Patrol craft attempting to evacuate wounded from the Ben Tre area. The accurate fusillade of fire along the banks restricted enemy rocket attacks on the river craft. His devotion to duty and courage under intense enemy fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.