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 First Sergeant Rosalio C. Montelongo, United States Army, for gallantry in actions while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 10 March 1970 while serving as First Sergeant, Troop L, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date his troop engaged an element of North Vietnamese soldiers. Sergeant Montelongo immediately left the relatively safety of the troop’s night defensive position to join the troop in the contact area. Upon arriving at the scene of contact, he immediately cleared a landing zone for the helicopter. He then moved forward, assaulting the enemy positions by placing accurate suppressive fire with his machinegun. Sergeant Montelongo then dismounted his vehicle and crawled from one vehicle to another carrying the wounded personnel to his vehicle and assuring their evacuation. Sergeant Montelongo let a dismounted patrol to the flank of the troop and assaulted the enemy bunkers with hand grenades and his rifle. First Sergeant Montelongo’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.