Compiled and Edited By C. Douglas Sterner

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1749 (April 17, 1967)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Robert L. Grof, 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 Troop D, 3d Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 9th Infantry Division. Captain Grof distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 June 1967 as an aircraft commander during an evacuation mission for the 9th Infantry Division. Hearing an urgent radio request to evacuate over one hundred casualties from a heated battle, Captain Grof flew to the unsecured area and landed to load the wounded. Intense machine gun fire raked the aircraft and wounded him in the face. Despite the pain of his injury, impairment of his sight and a crippled ship, he successfully flew out of the area to a treatment center. Upon reaching the hospital, Captain Grof volunteered to stay in his aircraft and returned to the beleaguered unit for more casualties. While patients were being loaded, the helicopter was rendered inoperative by numerous additional hits, one of which wounded Captain Grof a second time. Despite the incredibly intense fire directed on his craft, he remained aboard to radio other helicopters in the area to move to a more secure area. Seeing another ship crash nearby, he rushed to the scene and made repeated trips through an open rice paddy to help the survivors to safety. He then recovered vital ammunition from the downed craft and established a perimeter defense. He and his men successfully repelled the enemy until medical evacuation helicopters could land and evacuate them. Captain Grof'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. 3228 (July 8, 1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Timothy J. Grogan, 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 Company B, 1st Battalion, 69th Armor, 4th Infantry Division. Captain Grogan distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 5 and 6 May 1968 as the commander of an armor/infantry task force during a fierce battle with a North Vietnamese regiment near An Bao. Throughout four major contacts in a sixteen-hour period, Captain Grogan repeatedly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire by leaving the relative security of his tank to personally direct the fire of ground units and to supervise the evacuation of wounded personnel. His masterful coordination and direction of tanks, personnel carriers, artillery, and air support subdued the enemy on all four occasions and inflicted heavy casualties upon the insurgents. When his troops became depressed and weary from the constant combat, he moved through a hail of heavy mortar and rocket fire to each of their positions and encouraged them to continue fighting. His physical presence and courageous actions inspired his men to rally and place such a heavy volume of fire on the insurgents that they completely decimated the enemy forces. Captain Grogan'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. 3663 (July 30, 1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Lynn J. Gross, 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 A, 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry, 11th Brigade, Americal Division. Private First Class Gross distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 May 1969 while serving as a security guard on a bridge near Duc Pho. During the early morning hours, a North Vietnamese platoon armed with machine guns and grenade launchers penetrated the perimeter around the bridge and destroyed two bunkers with satchel charges. Believing himself to be the only survivor, Private Gross attempted to retake some of the enemy-held positions at the other end of the bridge. Halfway across the bridge he was wounded by a satchel charge and fell in the open, exposed to the hostile barrage. Not being able to move, he used his field radio to call in gun ships to fire on the enemy troops who had taken shelter in nearby bunkers. While calling in fire he kept the North Vietnamese pinned down with his rifle until a rescue team was inserted on the bridge. Private First Class Gross' 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. 3182 (August 16, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Jesus H. Guevara, 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, 2d Battalion, 35th Infantry, 3d Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. Specialist Guevara distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 27 September 1968 while serving as a radio telephone operator on a five man listening and observation patrol southeast of Duc Lap. North Vietnamese Army troops occupying a well camouflaged bunker complex opened fire on his small element, instantly killing the patrol leader. Specialist Guevara immediately took command, directing the men into a defensive position while providing covering fire. He also contacted his company, giving details of his unit’s location and the strength of the enemy. The communists assaulted and killed another member of the patrol, but were driven back. After a second attempt to overrun the Americans, during which Specialist Guevara killed two North Vietnamese, the aggressors withdrew slightly and unleashed a barrage of automatic weapons fire and grenades. A grenade landed in his position and he fearlessly picked it up and threw it back at the enemy. When a second grenade fell amid the three patrol members, he again grabbed it and attempted to throw it, but the deadly missile exploded before he released it. Specialist Guevara absorbed most of the impact from the grenade and received further injuries from a smoke grenade which was detonated by the explosion. Despite his grievous wounds, he tried to reach his radio to report the action. Through his efforts, he and his two comrades were able to hold off the aggressors until relief arrived. Specialist Four Guevara’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. 82 (January 9, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Andres Gutierrez, 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 Company C, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry, 3d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Gutierrez distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 23 February 1969 during a rocket, mortar and ground attack on the Dau Tieng base camp by two North Vietnamese Army battalions reinforced with sapper elements. When the bombardment began shortly after midnight, Lieutenant Gutierrez organized a reaction force and led it to the perimeter, which had been broken through by the enemy. Spotting three North Vietnamese preparing to fire a rocket-propelled grenade into a bunker, he killed all three with his pistol. He then began to rescue casualties from under the deadly hostile fire and carry them to the aid station. While resupplying his men with ammunition, he encountered two infiltrators trying to enter the battalion ammunition supply point and shot both of them with his pistol. Lieutenant Gutierrez made fifteen trips to the supply point, repeatedly exposing himself to the communists' fire and the danger of an ammunition explosion. As morning approached, he and a comrade maneuvered against a sniper and silenced him. First Lieutenant Gutierrez' 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. 1753 (May 15, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Cornelius Guy, Jr., 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 C, 3d Battalion, 12th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. Staff Sergeant Guy distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 30 August 1968 as a platoon sergeant during a helicopter combat assault on Hill 1258 in Kontum Province. When only a small portion of his company had landed, the men were subjected to an intense volume of rocket, mortar and automatic weapons fire from a North Vietnamese Army force in well-entrenched positions. As Sergeant Guy was laying down a base of fire on the enemy soldiers, a hostile rocket impacted near his position seriously wounding him and knocking him unconscious. After regaining consciousness, he moved across the open ground to where his troops were pinned down by a cross fire. Ignoring his painful wounds, he rallied his largely demoralized men and pointed out targets to them while constantly exposing himself to the deadly fusillade. Armed with a grenade launcher, he then attempted to reach the bunkers on the crest of the hill. He was driven back by the devastating fire, but reorganized his men and again crawled into the face of the enemy barrage. As he neared the first fortification he routed its occupants with a gas grenade. Jumping to his feet, Sergeant Guy charged directly at a second position and destroyed it with grenades. His men were inspired by his actions and followed him along the crest of the hill until the entire area was secured. When more helicopters entered the landing zone, he organized the defense and insured that all other casualties were treated before he received medical aid. Staff Sergeant Guy'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. 84 (January 9, 1969)
  

(First Award)

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to David H. Hackworth, Major (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division. On 7 February 1966, Major Hackworth's unit was assigned the mission of relieving elements of a friendly rifle company which had been pinned down for four hours. Upon arriving at the beleaguered unit s position, Major Hackworth moved forward, by himself, to conduct a reconnaissance of the area. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he moved across an open field through small arms fire, crossed a bridge which was raked by intense hostile machine gun fire, and ran across another open field through heavy fire to the embattled company s position. Major Hackworth then crawled to within twenty meters of the insurgent positions in the face of heavy machine gun fire. Upon completion of his reconnaissance mission, he returned to his command post and again, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, led the attacking force across the bullet swept fields to the insurgent positions. He then led a group through intense fire to a position only forty meters from the opposing force s battle positions. From this point, under fire for approximately six hours, Major Hackworth calmly and effectively maneuvered his units to close in on the entrenched and determined Viet Cong. Continuously, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, he exposed himself to intense fire to personally inspire and direct the attack. As one of the attacking units began to falter, without hesitation, Major Hackworth left his position to rally the attackers and lead them into the Viet Cong positions. During the final phase of the attack, Major Hackworth again exposed himself to heavy fire in order to direct an air strike on the Viet Cong. Major Hackworth's extraordinary heroism and gallantry in action were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 121 (1966)
  

Home Town: Santa Monica, California

Hackworth, David H.

(Second Award)

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross (First Oak Leaf Cluster) is presented to David H. Hackworth, Lieutenant Colonel (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 Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Lieutenant Colonel Hackworth distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions during the period of 23 to 25 March 1969 as battalion commander while his unit was engaged with elements of two Viet Cong battalions. After one of his companies came under attack from a numerically superior hostile force, Colonel Hackworth landed his command and control helicopter amid heavy enemy fire to resupply the unit with ammunition and to evacuate casualties. Remaining with his forces on the ground, he led a patrol in pursuit of the withdrawing enemy and, after learning the enemy s withdrawal plan from a captured soldier, directed the insertion of other elements of his battalion into blocking positions. As the conflict developed into a large scale battle, he again took to the air and flew through intense antiaircraft fire to adjust artillery fire and direct the movement of his men. He repeatedly landed to coordinate with his ground commanders, lead assaults against hostile positions, and evacuate casualties. When a friendly scout element sustained several casualties and became pinned down near the communist emplacements, he disembarked from his helicopter to maneuver through the hostile fusillade and assist the wounded men to his aircraft. When he had insured that the injured were being evacuated, he adjusted supporting fire on the enemy fortifications until the enemy was soundly defeated and their weapons and supplied confiscated. Lieutenant Colonel Hackworth 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. 2422 (1969)
  

Home Town: Santa Monica, California

Haig, Alexander M., Jr.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Alexander M. Haig, Jr., Lieutenant Colonel (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 while serving with Headquarters, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Lieutenant Colonel Haig distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 March and 1 April 1967 while serving as battalion commander during an attack by a numerically superior Viet Cong force near Ap Gu. When two of his companies were engaged by a large hostile force, Colonel Haig landed amid a hail of fire, personally took charge of the units, called for artillery and air fire support, and succeeded in soundly defeating the insurgent force. Before dawn the nest day, when a single mortar round fell near the perimeter, Colonel Haig recognized it as the registering round prior to a massive attack and immediately alerted his entire unit. Within five minutes a barrage of 400 rounds was fired by the Viet Cong, but it was ineffective because of the warning and preparations by Colonel Haig. As the barrage subsided, a force three times larger than his began a series of human wave assaults on the camp. Heedless of the danger to himself, Colonel Haig repeatedly braved intense hostile fire to survey the battlefield. His personal courage and determination, and his skillful employment of every defense and support tactic possible, inspired his men to fight with previously unimagined power. Although his force was outnumbered three to one, Colonel Haig succeeded in inflicting 592 casualties on the Viet Cong. Lieutenant Colonel Haig'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. 2318 (May 22, 1967)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John Loda Haines, 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 Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry, 2d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Haines distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 6 March 1968 as medical aidman for an infantry platoon conducting a sweep and secure mission near Hoc Mon. As his unit moved into a dense wood line, it was subjected to intense small arms, automatic weapons, and anti-tank rocket fire from an enemy force of unknown size. Five members of his platoon were seriously wounded by the initial burst of savage hostile fire. Fearlessly exposing himself to the withering fusillade, Specialist Haines raced forward to assist his stricken comrades. With bullets striking all around him, he courageously moved from one casualty to another, administering first aid. Specialist Haines was hit while treating one of the soldiers, but disregarded his wound and continued his lifesaving mission. Observing his platoon sergeant severely wounded and lying in an open area raked by enemy machine gun fire, he rushed to the man and began attending him. Specialist Haines was instantly killed by the machine gun fire while applying the last bandage to his fallen comrade. His gallant and determined actions in close combat saved the lives of several fellow soldiers. Specialist Four Haines' 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. 1839 (May 22, 1967)
  

Hale, Richard M.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Richard M. Hale, 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 A, 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 5th Infantry, 2d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Sergeant Hale distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 November 1966 while serving as a squad leader with the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry during a search and destroy operation near Tay Ninh. As the battalion maneuvered into position, it suddenly received intense automatic weapons and mortar fire from an entrenched Viet Cong force. Sergeant Hale immediately ordered his armored personnel carrier into the center of the action. Once fire superiority had been gained, he dismounted his squad and aggressively led them in an assault on the hostile positions. When one of his men was hit by grenade fragments, just short of the Viet Cong lines, Sergeant Hale directed his squad to evacuate the wounded man. With complete disregard for his safety, while armed with only a bowie knife and a pistol, he charged the hostile emplacement alone. Dauntlessly running 30 meters through intense hostile fire, he leaped into the bunker and engaged two insurgents in fierce hand-to-hand combat. After killing both Viet Cong, Sergeant hale reorganized his squad and continued to search the area until he was shot in the chest by a sniper. Although painfully wounded and weak from loss of blood, he gallantly crawled to the hostile position and killed two more insurgents with his pistol. His unimpeachable valor and profound concern for his comrades inspired all those around him and helped to defeat a determined hostile force. Sergeant Hale'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. 181 (January 13, 1967)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James P. Hales, III, 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 Company B, 4th Battalion, 23d Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Captain Hales distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 28 April 1968 as an infantry company commander during a reconnaissance-in-force mission near Xom Bao Long. His unit suddenly came under a barrage of rocket propelled grenade, small arms and automatic weapons fire from well-fortified North Vietnamese positions. Captain hales immediately maneuvered his armored carrier toward the aggressors and sprayed them with machine gun fire, enabling his men to withdraw with the wounded to a more strategic location. Two enemy emplacements began sending a heavy volume of machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire at his vehicle. A grenade round penetrated the side of the carrier, immobilizing it and temporarily deafening him. Finding his machine gun inoperative, Captain Hales picked up five grenades and crawled under the devastating fire to one of the bunkers holding a four-man rocket team. Pitching two grenades into the enemy position he killed all four occupants. Crawling another ten meters toward the second emplacement, he threw his remaining three grenades which silenced the machine gun and killed two more communist soldiers. After destroying the two positions, he directed artillery and air strikes and succeeded in routing the enemy. Captain Hales' 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. 5691 (December 10, 1968)