Compiled and Edited By C. Douglas Sterner

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  HQ US Army, Pacific, General Orders No. 164 (July 19, 1966)
  

*Copas, Ardie Ray

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Ardie Ray Copas, Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 5th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Copas distinguished himself while serving as a machine gunner aboard an armored personnel carrier during operations near Ph Romeas Hek, Cambodia. In the early morning hours of 12 May 1970, Specialist Copas' company was suddenly attacked by a large hostile force firing recoilless rifles, rocket propelled grenades, and automatic weapons. After the specialist began returning fire, his armored car was struck by an enemy recoilless round, knocking the specialist to the ground and injuring four American soldiers beside the vehicle. Ignoring his own wounds, the specialist quickly remounted the burning vehicle and commenced firing his machine gun at the belligerents. Braving the hostile fire directed at him and the possible detonation of the mortar rounds inside the track, Specialist Copas maintained a heavy volume of suppressive fire on the foe while the wounded Americans were safely evacuated. Undaunted, he continued to place devastating volleys of fire upon the adversary until he was mortally wounded when another enemy round hit his vehicle. His daring action resulted in the safe evacuation of his comrades and prevented injury or death to fellow Americans. Specialist Four Copas' extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 119 (January 13, 1971)
  

Cotto, Perez E.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Perez E. Cotto, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company B, 4th Engineer Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. Staff Sergeant Cotto distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 1 March 1969 while serving as an engineer squad leader in support of an infantry unit at Landing Zone Swinger. Immediately upon disembarking, the landing force encountered a hail of hostile small arms fire. Seeing a wounded soldier in need of assistance, Sergeant Cotto attempted to retrieve him, until enemy fire from a well-concealed bunker halted his advance. With complete disregard for his own safety, he charged the fortification, destroying it with hand grenades. He then pulled the wounded man to safety. During another foray into the terrain around the perilous landing zone to search for wounded infantrymen, he observed a North Vietnamese soldier taking aim at a wounded American lying in a ditch. Sergeant Cotto rose to his feet and shouted, distracting the communist who turned to fire. Sergeant Cotto instantly shot the enemy soldier with a burst from his M-16 and then proceeded to remove the wounded American. Throughout the battle to secure the landing zone, Sergeant Cotto constantly exposed himself to the hostile fusillade to rescue and evacuate wounded soldiers. Staff Sergeant Cotto's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2157 (June 19, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Winston A. L. Cover, First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Airborne Division Assistance Team, Army Advisory Group. First Lieutenant Winston A. L. Cover distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism during the period 25 April 1972 to 20 May 1972 while serving as Senior American Advisor to the 8th Airborne Battalion, Airborne Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam, which was assigned the task of helping defend the provincial capital of An Loc. Undergoing one of the most intensive and deadly assaults of the Vietnam war, Lieutenant Cover consistently displayed exceptional courage, sound judgment, and calmness under fire that inspired his unit and those that came in contact with him to brave the withering fire and defend their positions. After his deputy was severely wounded, Lieutenant Cover braved the enemy fire and administered first aid while in a fully exposed position, and arranged for his evacuation from the battle area. Immediately thereafter, he continued directing air strikes against the enemy and was responsible for numerous enemy losses. Subjected almost daily to regimental attacks supported by armor, Lieutenant Cover moved from one position to another, directing fire and inspiring the friendly troops to hold their positions, while directing extremely accurate air strikes that were responsible for eliminating many enemy positions and the thwarting the enemy assaults. Lieutenant Cover’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great upon himself and the United States Army.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, MACV Support Command General Order No. 2441 (October 17, 1972)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Timothy J. Cox, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company B, 2d Battalion (Mechanized), 22d Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Staff Sergeant Cox distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 7 March 1969 while serving as a platoon sergeant in command of an element sent to lend support to a beleaguered ambush patrol After the patrol had reported enemy contact and then broke communication, the command track and Sergeant Cox with two vehicles from his platoon moved out rapidly from their defensive night position. Arriving at the area of conflict, Sergeant Cox directed a lethal volume of fire on the enemy force. Frequently he purposely drew fire on himself to locate and destroy hostile emplacements. Maneuvering through an onslaught of exploding anti-tank rockets, he and his men finally recovered the ambush patrol, including five dead and several critically wounded. On departing, his track was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. Determining the site of the launcher, Sergeant Cox dismounted and crawled to the flank of the well-concealed position. Unleashing a fusillade with his M-16 rifle, he instantly killed the crew. Remounting his vehicle, he then guided his element to a nearby fire support base. Twice he was blown from his vehicle when anti-tank mines exploded, but he ignored his injuries in his persistence to return his men to safety. Staff Sergeant Cox's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2050 (June 11, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Garry Coyle, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 14 February 1966, while serving with Company A, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Private Coyle was serving as a medical aidman attached to an infantry rifle company. During an assault on Viet Cong positions, Private Coyle, though wounded and refusing evacuation, repeatedly exposed himself to insurgent fire in order to treat and evacuate other wounded personnel. While placing wounded man in a covered position, he saw another wounded soldier lying in the midst of hostile fire. Leaving the cover of his position, Private Coyle ran through insurgent fire and attempted to aid his fallen comrade. While carrying this wounded man to safety, the hostile fire increased and Private Coyle was mortally wounded. His extraordinary heroism and supreme sacrifice were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Unites States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

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  HQ US Army, Pacific, General Orders No. 123 (May 27, 1966)
  

*Coyle, James Michael

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James Michael Coyle, Captain (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. Captain Coyle distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 20 August 1964 as an Assistant Advisor to a battalion of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Coyle demonstrated fortitude, professional skill, and determination while accompanying the friendly units on a military mission. When the Vietnamese battalion was suddenly ambushed by hostile elements, he bravely exposed himself to the heavy gunfire to cover the withdrawal of the friendly forces. During the ensuing engagement in which the enemy launched several vicious assaults, he displayed complete disregard for his own personal safety by remaining in an exposed position to defend the friendly troops. Although a severe wound forced him to take cover in a ditch temporarily, he ignored his own wound, climbed back up the bank, and continued to annihilate a great number of enemy troops during a violent battle that lasted one hour and forty minutes. Despite the overwhelming onslaught, he continued his courageous efforts until he succumbed to his mortal wound. Captain Coyle's conspicuous gallantry and extraordinary heroic actions are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

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  Department of the Army, General Orders No. 8 (March 9, 1965)
  

Cozzalio, Alan A.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Alan A. Cozzalio, First Lieutenant (Armor), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company D, 3d Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 9th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Cozzalio distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 25 January 1969 as a helicopter pilot near Phu My Village in Dinh Tuong Province. An infantry company was crossing an open field when one of the elements suddenly received fire from an enemy bunker complex, killing five men and wounding several others. The proximity of the Americans to the communists and the difficulty of pinpointing the hostile strongholds made it nearly impossible for supporting helicopters to attack the foe. Lieutenant Cozzalio landed his Cobra gun ship and switched to a light observation helicopter to increase his maneuverability. Despite intense small arms, machine gun and anti-aircraft fire, he hovered ten feet above the bunker and made a nose dive, destroying the fortification with mini gun fire and fragmentation grenades. After landing to brief the ground commander on the best route of assault, he returned to his Cobra and kept the enemy troops pinned down until the ground unit overran them. First Lieutenant Cozzalio's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1618 (May 7, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Ormand B. Crabtree, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company I, 75th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Sergeant Crabtree distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 11 and 12 May 1969. His extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 4343 (1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Carroll V. Crain, Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Battery B, 2d Battalion, 19th Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Sergeant First Class Crain distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 27 December 1966 while serving as chief of an artillery element during a massive Viet Cong attack in Binh Dinh Province. The two insurgent battalions began their attack with a mortar, recoilless rifle, and machine gun barrage which swept the camp. Although he sustained serious wounds in his left hand and right leg, Sergeant Crain raced through the intense fire to a howitzer position and began firing high explosive shells directly into the onrushing waves of insurgents. Fearlessly working while silhouetted against the flames of an ammunition blaze, he shouted rallying cries heard throughout the battery position. Exposing himself again to the hostile barrage, Sergeant Crain encouraged the men fighting the ammunition fire, then returned to the howitzer and resumed his fire. Although he was losing blood constantly and gradually weakening, when the men were forced to withdraw to another defensive point, Sergeant Crain helped evacuate other casualties, then seized a rifle and killed three insurgents in close fighting. He again refused medical treatment, assisted in rallying the men for a counterattack, and moved back into the unit's forward positions to clear them of Viet Cong. Sergeant First Class Crain's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2389 (May 25, 1967)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Bruce P. Crandall, Major, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism while participating in aerial flight while serving with Company A, 229th Aviation Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), in the Republic of Vietnam. Major Crandall distinguished himself by heroic action on 14 November 1965 while serving as Aircraft Commander and Flight Commander of 25 UH1D helicopters on a combat assault and volunteer medical evacuation mission. Major Crandall’s flight was lifting troops on a search and destroy mission from Plei Me, Vietnam, to a landing zone in the la Drang Valley, approximately 10 miles to the west of Plei Me. Four successful airlifts had been completed with no enemy activity. On the fifth and final troop lift, the landing zone came under intense enemy small arms, automatic weapons, mortar, and rocket fire as the first eight helicopters landed to discharge troops. The troops on Major Crandall’s aircraft suffered six casualties, three wounded and three killed as they were exiting his aircraft. The remaining aircraft waiting to land were ordered to abort, because of the intense fire. Upon returning to his base of operations, Major Crandall learned that a request for medical evacuation had been received. He immediately sought volunteers, and with complete disregard for his own personal safety he immediately took off and led two aircraft to the area despite the fact that the landing zone was still under intensive enemy fire. He landed and proceeded to supervise the loading of the seriously wounded soldiers aboard his aircraft. Major Crandall’s bravery and daring courage to land under the most extreme hostile fire instilled in the pilots the will and spirit to continue to land in the landing zone under intense enemy fire, and in the ground forces the realization that friendly wounded would be promptly evacuated. This greatly enhanced morale and will to fight at a critical time. After his first medical evacuation, Major Crandall continued to fly into and out of the landing zone throughout the day and into the early evening. He completed 14 landings on medical evacuation and re- supply missions under intense enemy fire, his helicopter often times being the target of fire. He retired from the battlefield only after all possible service had been rendered to the infantry troops. Major Crandall’s acts of bravery and daring courage in the face of a determined enemy were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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  Headquarters, Department of the Army, General Orders 25 (8 June 2001)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Gary E. Crews, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company C, 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 2d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. Private First Class Crews distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 29 July 1968 as a rifleman during a search and destroy mission in Hai Lang District. Private Crews' company encountered heavy automatic weapons fire from well-concealed bunkers, pinning the men down and inflicting numerous casualties. Braving the enemy fusillade, he immediately went to the aid of his injured comrades. He was hit first by grenade fragments, temporally blinding him in the eye, and then by small arms fire in the arm. Ignoring his painful wounds, he continued on to the casualties and applied vital first aid. After carrying one seriously injured soldier to safety, Private Crews returned to the battle and was wounded again, but remained to aid his companions until he was ordered to the rear for medical treatment. Private First Class Crews' extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1148 (April 3, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Edward David Crow, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company B, 3d Battalion, 22d Infantry, 3d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Sergeant Crow distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 12 April 1968 while serving with an infantry company during an enemy attack on its position. His unit was in a night defensive position when it became the target of a mortar and ground assault. Initially, the intensity of the enemy fire forced Sergeant Crow to abandon his mortar position, but he quickly regrouped his men and personally led a counterattack to regain it. His men began receiving enemy machine gun fire when they had advanced to within fifteen meters of the weapon site. Ignoring the fusillade, Sergeant Crow continued towards his objective and destroyed the machine gun with hand grenades. After successfully regaining the mortar emplacement, he fired illumination rounds to expose the enemy in the darkness and placed effective suppressive fire upon the insurgents which forced their withdrawal. Sergeant Crow's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3815 (August 6, 1968)
  

*Crowell, Roger Brian

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Roger Brian Crowell, Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop C, 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Crowell distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 January 1968 while serving as a tank driver of an armored platoon on a reaction mission during the communist Lunar New Year offensive. His platoon was called to reinforce friendly elements engaged in a fierce firefight with a regimental size force of Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army soldiers who had penetrated the Tan Son Nhut Air Base perimeter. While moving into the battle site, the platoon was subjected to savage enemy rocket, automatic weapons and small arms fire. Specialist Crowell's tank was struck by three anti-tank rockets, and his commander directed the crew to evacuate the disabled vehicle. Heedless of his safety amid withering hostile fire, Specialist Crowell unhesitatingly left the driver's compartment and climbed inside the tank. Alone, he quickly loaded and fired eighteen devastatingly accurate cannon rounds on the attacking insurgents. When continuing enemy rocket fire rendered the main gun inoperable, Specialist Crowell fearlessly exposed himself to the relentless fusillade and raked the hostile positions with a hail of bullets from the tank's machine gun until he was struck by enemy small arms fire and instantly killed. Specialist Four Crowell's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2182 (May 11, 1968)
  

Crowley, Fred R.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Fred R. Crowley, First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Advisory Team 1, United States Army Advisory Group, I Corps Tactical Zone. First Lieutenant Crowley (USMC) distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 18 September 1968 as assistant senior advisor to the 4th Battalion, 51st Regiment, Army of the Republic of Vietnam during a battle with North Vietnamese troops south of Da Nang. While radioing for a helicopter to evacuate three Vietnamese soldiers who had been badly wounded, Lieutenant Crowley was shot by an enemy sniper. Wishing to remain as alert as possible, he refused morphine which was offered to relieve the pain of his serious wounds and continued to pass vital information on the radio while being carried to the landing zone. As the ambulance helicopter came in, it was struck by hostile fire, overturned and crashed in flames within ten meters of the waiting casualties. Intense small arms and mortar fire sprayed the area, which was lit up by the burning ship. With complete disregard for his own welfare, Lieutenant Crowley organized the rescue of the wounded Vietnamese and helped direct the seven injured crew members and passengers to safety. Though aggravating his wounds, he then picked up his radio and crawled to the command post. After requesting another ambulance ship, he assisted the injured pilots, holding canteens while those with hands drank. When the second helicopter arrived, Lieutenant Crowley again directed the movement of the wounded to the bullet-swept landing zone. Almost unconscious from loss of blood, he reached the craft with the assistance of a comrade and was safely evacuated. First Lieutenant Crowley's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Marine Corps.