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 Stanislavas V. Nerkeliunas, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 25 September 1969 while serving as a radio operator with Troop B, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date Sergeant Nerkeliunas was on a dismounted patrol when suddenly a platoon of North Vietnamese Army soldiers engaged the small force with small arms, automatic weapons and recoilless rifle fire, seriously wounding four men, including Sergeant Nerkeliunas. Ignoring his injuries, Sergeant Nerkeliunas began returning fire and raking the enemy positions. He spotted one comrade who was seriously injured, lying several meters in front. Sergeant Nerkeliunas continued to place suppressive fire as he crawled forward and then pulled the man to a safer position. As the firefight raged on, he insured the other injured men were evacuated before he allowed his own evacuation. Sergeant Nerkeliunas’ 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.