Camillo Gonzalez

By direction of the President under the provisions of the USARV Message 16695, 1 July 1966 and paragraph 27, AR 672-5-1. The Silver Star Medal is presented to Camillo Gonzalez, RA39053350, Platoon Sergeant, United States Army. For gallantry in action, Platoon Sergeant Gonzalez distinguished himself while acting as platoon leader on a mission to relieve other friendly elements heavily engaged with the enemy. As he approached the battle area, his platoon suddenly received intense Viet Cong small arms and automatic weapons fire causing several casualties. Realizing that further efforts to advance would result in numerous losses, Sergeant Gonzalez called for reinforcement and an air strike. After directing the air strike, he organized his platoon for an assault. Because of the well foritified Viet Cong positions, he was forced to stop short of the objective. Observing that two squad leaders had been wounded, Sergeant Gonzalez reorganized his platoon and started forward again. After moving approximately 20 meters, they received intense hostile fire and sustained additional casualties. He then set up an extraction point and supervised the evacuation of the wounded. After the wounded were evacuated, Sergeant Gonzalez assembled his battle weary platoon, and once again assaulted the enemy fortifications. Sergeant Gonzalez, at the head of his platoon, charged forward and ran 50 meters across the open rice paddy, oblivious of the withering fire that engulfed the battlefield and that tore away his equipment and knocked off his helmet. His men, spirited by this almost unbelievable act of heroism, assaulted behind their platoon sergeant and routed the enemy for its prepared defenses. Sergeant Gonzalez’ extraordinary heroism in close combat against a numerically superior hostile force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.