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 Private First Class Joseph P. Tamboia (ASN: US-51620098), United States Army, for gallantry in action against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 20 May 1967. Private First Class Tamboia distinguished himself on this date while serving as Medical Aidman for Troop E, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Private First Class Tamboia was riding an armored cavalry assault vehicle when the platoon size column came under fire from a numerically superior Viet Cong force. In the initial burst of fire several men were wounded and Private First Class Tamboia was summoned to administer medical aid. With total disregard for his personal safety, Private First Class Tamboia left the safety of the armored vehicle and ran to the aid of his stricken comrades. He repeatedly ran through hails of intense small arms fire to reach and treat the wounded. As the intensity of the fire increased, Private First Class Tamboia discovered that the machine gunner, who had been providing suppressive fire for the friendly forces, had been wounded. Without hesitation, Private First Class Tamboia assumed the job of gunner until the insurgent positions were silenced. Later on in the day, the unit came under another attack, sustaining light casualties. Private First Class Tamboia dismounted his vehicle and ran fifty meters through a vicious field of fire to aid a wounded man. Private first Class Tamboia’s great personal bravery and deep sense of devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, Task Force Oregon, and the United States Army.