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 Ronald E. Meadows (ASN: RA-11945917), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force on 5 May 1968 while serving as armored cavalry assault vehicle driver with Company H, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, his unit came under intense fire from a well-fortified insurgent force, with the initial volleys disabling three vehicles and wounding several personnel. Disregarding the intensity of the enemy fire, Specialist Meadows dismounted from his personnel carrier and dashed toward the enemy emplacements. Approaching the enemy position, he killed one insurgent with his personal automatic weapon but almost simultaneously another hostile soldier shot and wounded him in the neck, causing him to lose his balance and stumble into the enemy’s trench. As the enemy soldier moved toward him, Specialist Meadows drew his pistol and killed the insurgent. Two enemy soldiers armed with antitank rocket launchers saw their comrade fall and rushed to his assistance, and using their weapons as clubs, disarmed Specialist Meadows. Displaying exceptional proficiency in the art of hand-to-hand combat, Specialist Meadows engaged both assailants with his waning strength and knocked them to the ground. Scrambling out of the trench, he rapidly directed reinforcements into the enemy positions, insuring their destruction. His professional skill and dedication contributed significantly to his decisive victory. Specialist Four Meadows’ outstanding bravery was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.