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 John Paul Sacco (AFSN: AF-12761393), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force at Bu Prang, Quang Duc Province, Republic of Vietnam, 26 November 1969 through 28 November 1969. During this period, he was assigned as an Air Intelligence Operations Specialist with 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron, deployed as a member of a Tactical Air Control Party to Special Forces Camp A-236 at Bu Prang during a siege by both of the 28th and 66th Infantry Regiments of the North Vietnamese Army. Upon deployment by helicopter into the camp under heavy mortar and small arms fire another member of the party was injured upon leaving the helicopter. He immediately helped his injured comrade to cover and then got him into the command bunker. The small outpost was under constant artillery, mortar and small arms fire. On the second day his officer in charge was wounded in the arms and chest by shrapnel and could no longer function. Because of the small size of the command bunker the officer had to be cared for in a second bunker. Having taken command of the control party, Sergeant Sacco had to divide his time between his duties and provide water and care of the injured officer. At dusk on the second night it became obvious that the enemy was making a full effort to overrun the outpost. Their position had to be marked for the supporting aircraft. Completely out of marking flares Sergeant Sacco attempted to mark their position using the strobe light from his survival vest. Finding that the supporting aircraft could not observe the light from his position he crawled out of the bunker into the open and the line of fire and provided the necessary marking of the friendly position. As a result of his aggressiveness the aircraft were able to repel the attack and the enemy withdrew. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Sacco in the dedication of his service to his country reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.