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 Specialist Fourth Class Vincenzo Gambino (ASN: RA-11815201), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 30 December 1968, while serving as a helicopter crew chief with the 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, while his aircraft was returning from a routine reconnaissance mission, Specialist Gambino observed and killed an enemy soldier hiding near a stream. After the pilot landed the aircraft, he, the door gunner and Specialist Gambino disembarked and advanced on the suspected enemy positions. Suddenly they began receiving heavy and accurate sniper fire from a well-concealed enemy soldier. While the pilot crawled forward to silence the enemy position, Specialist Gambino, disregarding his own safety, assumed a fully exposed position in order to provide accurate covering fire for the pilot. When the hostile fire in the immediate area had been silenced, the small friendly force set up a defensive position and held off the numerically superior enemy force for half an hour until friendly reinforcements arrived. Specialist Fourth Class Gambino’s outstanding courage and dedication to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.