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 Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Specialist Fourth Class Ernest Echavarria Serrano (ASN: RA-18865352), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 1 March 1969, while serving as a Medic with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment (Mechanized), 3d Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date during a reconnaissance operation in a booby trapped area near Binh Phoc, the platoon of which he was a member suddenly came under intense enemy fire and several men were wounded. Although wounded during the initial contact, Specialist Serrano began moving toward one of the casualties. Again Specialist Serrano was hit by enemy fire, but he finally reached his wounded comrade and administered emergency aid. Refusing to be evacuated for his own wounds, Specialist Serrano continued to assist the friendly casualties until all of them had been treated and evacuated. Specialist Fourth Class Serrano’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.

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 Specialist Fourth Class Ernest Echavarria Serrano (ASN: RA-18865352), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 17 April 1969, while serving as a Medic with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment (Mechanized), 3d Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date he was part of a reaction force called to re-supply and assist one of the brigade’s companies during an engagement with an enemy force. When he arrived at the scene of the battle, all of the company’s medics had been wounded, and several friendly casualties were left unattended and pinned down by the hostile fire. Specialist Serrano maneuvered across the open terrain from man to man and administered emergency aid. For over two hours he braved the enemy fusillade to treat the wounded and evacuate them to safety. Specialist Serrano’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.