Compiled and Edited By C. Douglas Sterner

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1140 (April 2, 1969)
  

Bahnsen, John C., Jr.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John C. Bahnsen, Jr., Major (Armor), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Major Bahnsen distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 23 January 1969 as Commanding Officer, Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Informed of a sizable enemy force, Major Bahnsen landed at the hostile area, reconnoitered and marked a landing zone for a rifle platoon in full view of the hostile troops. Leaving the site, he saw fifteen communists and engaged them with his rifle, firing from the window of his helicopter. He killed two of the enemy and remained at a low altitude to direct additional fire upon them until his crew chief was seriously wounded by the hostile barrage which struck their ship. Major Bahnsen evacuated the crew chief, refueled and rearmed, and sped back to the battle. Again taking the communists under fire and forcing them to a confined area, he marked their position and directed five air strikes against them, while at the same time controlling four separate rifle platoons. Intense enemy fire crippled his ship[, forcing him to aquifer another aircraft. On his return, Major Bahnsen landed to guide in the lift ships carrying an additional infantry unit, and then led a rifle platoon through dense terrain to personally capture were evacuated by helicopter, he remained on the ground and led the squad two kilometers back to friendly positions. Major Bahnsen’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. 1096 (March 31, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Henry M. Bailey, Jr., 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 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. During the period 9 to 14 December 1964, Sergeant Bailey was serving as one of two Special Forces advisors to an eight-man Vietnamese reconnaissance patrol in the Nui Tien Du Mountain area, Khanh Hoa, Republic of Vietnam. On 9 December, the patrol infiltrated a Viet Cong stronghold for the purpose of pinpointing targets and estimating insurgent strength in the area. On 11 December, after successfully completing the mission, the patrol was directed by radio to select a landing site for helicopters to airlift them back to the base of operations. As the evacuation aircraft approached the area, the patrol suddenly came under a heavy concentration of hostile fire. Sergeant Bailey who was in an exposed area waved the helicopters off to prevent them from being shot down. As the patrol was forced to withdraw, Sergeant Bailey noticed a member of the patrol had been wounded and was lying in the line of hostile fire. Notwithstanding the intense hail of fire-power being directed at his fallen comrade's position, and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Bailey immediately rushed forward to aid the wounded man. This action served to draw the insurgent's fire on himself and allowed the remaining members of the patrol to withdraw safely. Subsequently, after reaching the wounded patrol member, Sergeant Bailey with the aid of the other Special Forces Sergeant, carried the wounded Vietnamese team member from the ambush site. However, the trio again ran into a Viet Cong platoon and was unable to avoid the insurgents because of the wounded man. The two Sergeants then engaged the hostile platoon with accurate fire, forcing them to take cover, which enabled the duo and their wounded comrade to move safely away. As they continued their withdrawal, they came upon an insurgent outpost and by placing accurate fire on that position, the embattled sergeants were able to annihilate it completely. During the following day, despite their hazardous position, being out of food, low on ammunition, and the fact that the area was being (remainder of citation missing).

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  HQ US Army, Pacific, General Orders No. 72 (March 30, 1966)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Otis J. Bailey, 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 Troop I, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Private First Class Bailey distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 24 November, 1968 as a medical aidman with a dismounted patrol searching a hillside for a report Viet Cong platoon. As the patrol moved down the jungle trail, it suddenly came under intense small arms and automatic weapons fire from a well camouflaged and heavily fortified bunker complex. Disregarding his safety, Private Bailey braved the fierce enemy fire to assist the three lead men, who had been wounded by the initial volley. He quickly treated the most critically injured trooper and, carrying him on his back, crawled out of the communist; field of fire. Returning to within two meters of the hostile strongholds, he aided another of the wounded men and brought him through a deluge of enemy machine gun fire and hand grenades to the patrol's rear. After administering to the third casualty who had been able to reach relative safety, he spotted two more wounded soldiers and again faced the communist fusillade to aid his injured comrades. Private First Class Bailey's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty where 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. 685 (February 26, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Stephen F. Bailey, 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 Troop B, 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division. Sergeant (then Specialist Four) Bailey distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 20 December 1968 as commander of an armored personnel carrier near the village of Trang Bang. While his troops was nearing a battle site, it came under intense automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire. Spotting an enemy rocket-propelled grenade team, Sergeant Bailey maneuvered to within twenty meters of their emplacement and killed them with accurate machine gun fire. When another track received a direct hit, he fearlessly dismounted his vehicle and crossed the bullet-swept terrain to help the wounded crew members. Despite a painful wound, he returned to his carrier after administering first aid and carrying a seriously injured man to safety. Moments later another track was disabled by an enemy round and he again ran to the vehicle and attempted to drive it from the communists' line of fire. Finding that he needed assistance, he moved through the hostile barrage and returned with another man, throwing grenades into enemy emplacements only twenty meters away before reaching the track and driving it out of the endangered area. Sergeant Bailey'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. 1454 (April 26, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Eldon L. Baker, 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 as a Squad Leader, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. On 7 February 1966, while engaged in a combat mission to relieve elements of a rifle company which was pinned down by a well-fortified and numerically superior Viet Cong force, Sergeant Baker maneuvered his squad to a position approximately one hundred meters from the hostile main battle emplacements. Continuing to evince his indomitable courage, he crawled across a rice paddy under a hail of withering gun fire to reach the enemy position. Although he sustained multiple wounds by enemy gun fire during this action, he turned and rallied his men to continue the advance. Undaunted by a throat wound which impaired his speech, he crawled to a second enemy position, signaling his men to follow him. He then pulled himself to his feet and used his pistol to destroy the enemy within the bunker, making it possible for his squad to advance and rout the enemy completely. When medical and evacuation facilities were available, he refused medical attention and evacuation until all of the wounded received medical treatment. Sergeant Baker's conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism on the battlefield, and deep concern for his fellow soldiers are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the armed forces of his country.

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  Department of the Army, General Orders No. 42 (October 4, 1966)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Walter L. Baker, 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 A, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry, 199th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light). Specialist Four Baker distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 24 April 1968 as a rifleman on a reconnaissance-in-force mission twelve mile northeast of Bien Hoa. when his company encountered an estimated battalion of well-entrenched North Vietnamese Regulars, his platoon was pinned down by intense enemy automatic weapons and rocket fire. Courageously moving through a hail of enemy bullets, Specialist Baker silenced one hostile emplacement with rifle fire. As he advanced toward a second bunker, he was wounded in the leg and back by an enemy sniper. As he lay on the battlefield, he saw communist troops setting up a machine gun on a trail facing his platoon. Ignoring his painful wounds, he assaulted the machine gun position, eliminating it with rifle fire and grenades. Despite seven additional wounds received during this attack, he succeeded in capturing the enemy position. He then called to his comrades to follow him. As they advanced, he used the captured machine gun to lay down a heavy base of fire on the North Vietnamese. Only after he had shown members of his platoon the location of other hostile emplacements did he allow himself to be evacuated. His valiant actions allowed his comrades to move into the bunker complex and completely rout the aggressors from their positions. Specialist Four Baker'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. 4338 (September 12, 1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Norman Earl Baldwin, Captain (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 Detachment B-20, Company B, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Captain Baldwin distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 25 August 1968 as the commander of a mobile strike force company engaged in relieving the besieged Duc Lap Special Forces camp. During as assault on a hill occupied by an estimated North Vietnamese Army company, he found himself alone and under intense enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire. Shouting encouragement to his men to follow him, he rushed forward and single-handedly wiped out an enemy bunker, killing three aggressors. Seeing this heroic act on the part of their commander, his troops began to advance. Twenty feet from the crest of the hill Captain Baldwin and his company came under a withering barrage of small arms and automatic weapons fire from hostile positions southwest of their line of assault. Captain Baldwin placed a burst of fire on the enemy emplacements from an exposed position, inspiring his men to also locate and bring fire against them. He continued to lead the assault in the face of a hail of bullets, and when he had nearly reached the top of the hill he was mortally wounded by the North Vietnamese fusillade. Captain Baldwin'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. 4559 (October 1, 1968)
  

*Ballard, Mel Roy

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Mel Roy Ballard, 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 C, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry, 199th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light). On 18 April 1968 Company C was conducting a reconnaissance-in-force operation through dense jungle vegetation in Bien Hoa Province when it came under violent small arms, automatic weapons and rocket fire from a well-entrenched, camouflaged enemy force. Demonstrating calm, decisive leadership, Sergeant Ballard reorganized his squad, maneuvered them on line and directed their return fire. As the company assaulted the entrenched enemy, it encountered a devastating fusillade of automatic weapons, claymore mine and rocket fire from the hostile positions which seriously wounded Sergeant Ballard and other members of his unit. Ordered to withdraw so that artillery barrages could be called in on the hostile positions, Sergeant Ballard observed several wounded comrades to his front. Refusing to withdraw, he remained in his position to provide covering fire and evacuate the wounded. In an inspiring display of courage and determination, Sergeant Ballad disregarded his own painful wounds and moved unhesitatingly through the dense vegetation, enemy fire, and supporting artillery barrages for more than three hours, carrying the wounded men to safety. When supporting artillery fire was lifted, Sergeant Ballard persisted in his valiant efforts to remove all the wounded from the battle area. As he moved toward a wounded man, he was struck down and mortally wounded by fragments from an exploding enemy rocket. Through his indomitable Spirit and profound courage, Sergeant Ballard saved the lives of six men and enabled the company to destroy the enemy force. Sergeant Ballard's heroic 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.

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  Department of the Army, General Orders No. 58 (September 24, 1969)
  

Banks, Charles J.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Charles J. Banks, 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 221st Aviation Company, 13th Combat Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Brigade. Captain Banks distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 December 1966 while serving as platoon leader of a reconnaissance airplane company with which he was conducting a ground briefing assembly at Can Tho Army Air Base. During the meeting, Captain Banks observed a Viet Cong terrorist arise from the tall grass and throw a hand grenade between two nearby 5,000 gallon fuel tanks. Realizing the possibility of the annihilation of his men and equipment, he immediately sounded the alarm and rushed toward the grenade. Completely disregarding his own life, he jumped on the grenade and covered it with his own body. After ascertaining that his men were out of immediate danger, Captain Banks leaped to his feet and hurled the grenade back in the direction of the terrorist. It exploded in the air but failed to ignite the highly vulnerable fuel containers. Unaware of the extent to which the attack was being initiated, Captain Banks quickly secured his rifle and fired into the hostile position, while simultaneously directing his men into a perimeter defense. His courage and aggressiveness were singularly responsible for the preservation of the lives of his men. Captain Banks' 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. 3516 (July 12, 1967)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Felix R. Barela, 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 Battery C, 6th Battalion, 29th Artillery, 4th Infantry Division Artillery, 4th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Barela distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 26 March 1968 as a cannoneer of an artillery battery. During the early morning hours, two battalions of enemy infantry, supported by intense mortar and rocket fire, attacked Specialist Barela's battery position. The insurgents breached the perimeter at several points and advanced upon the howitzer parapet manned by Specialist Barela and his section. They held the attackers off with small arms fire until the enemy employed a flame thrower, which forced the artillerymen into a bunker. Specialist Barela was wounded twice by enemy grenades thrown into the bunker, but he continued to fire his weapon until his ammunition was expended. He then killed one enemy soldier in hand-to-hand combat as the determined attackers attempted to enter the bunker. Specialist Barela and his section drove the enemy back and repelled several more assaults before reinforcements arrived and the insurgents were driven out of the perimeter. His heroic actions prevented the loss of many lives and contributed greatly to the successful defense of the battery's position. Specialist Barela'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. 3454 (July 18, 1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Eldon A. Bargewell, 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 C & C (North), TF 1, SOG, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, attached to U.S. Army Vietnam Training Advisory Group (TF1AE), U.S. Army Vietnam Training Support Headquarters. Staff Sergeant Bargewell distinguished himself on 27 September 1971 while serving as a member of a long range reconnaissance team operating deep in enemy territory. On that date, his team came under attack by an estimated 75 to 100 man enemy force. Staff Sergeant Bargewell suffered multiple fragmentation wounds from an exploding B-40 rocket in the initial assault, but despite the serious wounds, placed a deadly volume of machine gun fire on the enemy line. As the enemy advanced, he succeeded in breaking the assault and forced them to withdraw with numerous casualties. When the enemy regrouped, they resumed their assault on the beleaguered team, placing a heavy volume of small arms and automatic weapons fire on Staff Sergeant Bargewell's sector of the defensive perimeter. Again he exposed himself to the enemy fire in order to hold his position and prevent the enemy from overrunning the small team. After breaking the enemy assault, the team withdrew to a nearby guard. At the landing zone, Staff sergeant Bargewell refused medical treatment in order to defend a sector of the perimeter, and insured the safe extraction of his team. Staff Sergeant Bargewell'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. 3391 (November 30, 1971)
  

Home Town: Hoquiam, Washington

*Barker, Jack Lamar

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Jack Lamar Barker, Major (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 Company B, 101st Aviation Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). Major Barker distinguished himself while piloting an observation helicopter during extraction operations of South Vietnamese troops near Fire Support Base Brown, Laos. As his aircraft approached the pickup zone, the enemy unleashed a barrage of automatic weapons fire upon his helicopter, forcing the attempt to be aborted. On the second approach, the enemy flak was so intense that the rescue effort was again aborted. Sustaining severe battle damage to his aircraft, Major Barker flew his crippled airship back to Khe Sanh. Realizing that the wounded personnel needed immediate evacuation, Major Barker mounted another helicopter and again departed to the besieged pickup zone. As his aircraft made its final descent, it was struck by an enemy rocket propelled grenade round, causing the ship to explode in mid-air. Major barker expired in the ensuing crash. Major Barker'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. 2264-247 (June 29, 1971)
  

*Barnard, Richard George

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Richard George Barnard, 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 Company C, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Sergeant First Class Barnard distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 22 December 1968 as a platoon leader at a fire support base near Tay Ninh City. Shortly after midnight a regimental-size Viet Cong/North Vietnamese Army force hit the camp with a devastating mortar, rocket-propelled grenade and rocket attack, followed by human wave assaults. The communists centered their drive against the section of the perimeter manned by Sergeant Barnard's company and succeeded in seizing five of its bunkers. Realizing that the base was in danger of being overrun, Sergeant Barnard unhesitatingly volunteered to lead an attempt to oust the aggressors from these positions. By placing effective fire with his rifle and hurling fragmentation grenades, he killed the enemy troops in four of the fortifications. As he fearlessly assaulted the last stronghold, he was mortally wounded by the fierce hostile fire. Sergeant First Class Barnard'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.