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 Staff Sergeant Ronald L. Kast (ASN: RA-18487059), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Kast distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions 21 July 1967 while serving as scout section leader with Troop L, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Participating in a road march, Sergeant Kast’s column encountered an estimated reinforced battalion of Viet Cong who directed a withering barrage of rocket, recoilless rifle, automatic weapons and small arms fire upon the convoy from both sides of the road. Reacting instantly, Sergeant Kast evacuated his comrades who were wounded to the safety of a nearby ditch. Exposing himself to heavy fire in order to help the wounded to a central location, he then provided three men to cover the casualties. Despite the fact that Sergeant Kast and his men were surrounded, he successfully maintained order and discipline and rallied his men to repel the aggressors. Realizing that the men were almost out of ammunition Sergeant Kast courageously crawled from the ditch and sprinted to a nearby vehicle and returned with the needed ordnance. Seeing that the insurgents were within hand grenade range, Sergeant Kast stood up amidst the heavy fire and killed two enemy and dispersed the others. He then noticed a group of five Viet Cong attempting to capture the weapons aboard one of the vehicles. Sergeant Kast leaped from the ditch and charged the bewildered insurgents. He cut all of the aggressors down with accurate fire. As the fire fight ended he arranged for medical evacuation. Staff Sergeant Kast’s extraordinary heroism in close combat with an armed hostile force are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.