partment of the Army, General Orders No. 15 (April 8, 1968)

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  Department of the Army, General Orders No. 15 (April 8, 1968)
  

Hollingsworth, James F.

(Second Award)

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross (First Oak Leaf Cluster) is presented to James F. Hollingsworth, Brigadier General, 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, 1st Infantry Division. Brigadier General Hollingsworth distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action during the period 5 November 1966 to 8 November 1966 while serving as Assistant Division Commander of the 1st Infantry Division. On 5 November 1966, three Special Forces units attacked what unexpectedly turned out to be a numerically superior Viet Cong force. Within minutes, General Hollingsworth was airborne over the battle area in his command and control helicopter. To gain an accurate knowledge of the fluid ground situation, he had his pilot fly repeated low level passes over the insurgent positions. During these reconnaissance passes, while receiving intense hostile fire, General Hollingsworth formulated stratagems for the maneuver of the ground units, ordered devastating air strikes and artillery barrages on the Viet Cong emplacements, and enable them to repel the numerically superior Viet Cong force. On 8 November, one of his battalions engaged several Viet Cong Units. Immediately upon arriving at the scene, General Hollingsworth fearlessly moved about the area of conflict issuing directives, maintaining fire discipline, and encouraging the men to fight with renewed efforts. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he continuously exposed himself to the concentrated Viet Cong fire to coordinate all facets of the battle. His masterful and unerring battle strategy accounted for one of the most significant victories in the current conflict. Brigadier General Hollingsworth's extraordinary heroism and inspiring leadership were in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 590 (February 7, 1967)
  

Hollingsworth, James F.

(Third Award)

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross (Second Oak Leaf Cluster) is presented to James F. Hollingsworth, Brigadier General, 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, 1st Infantry Division. Brigadier General Hollingsworth distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 20 March 1967 while serving as Acting Commander, 1st Infantry Division when the artillery support base at Bau Bang came under intense enemy mortar attack a few hours after midnight. Taking off in his command helicopter, following a briefing on the situation, General Hollingsworth immediately flew to the besieged unit. Despite the devastating ground fire directed at his aircraft, he ordered his pilot to make repeated low level passes over the ravaged area while he dauntlessly reconnoitered it. Realizing that an insurgent ground assault was imminent, General Hollingsworth called for air strikes as he continued to expose himself to the hail of bullets streaking through the darkness. When flareships illuminated the battlefield, he located the Viet Cong assembly area and, ignoring his vulnerable position, guided the support aircraft in their bombing and strafing runs. At 0500 hours, the insurgents began their mass attack. Contemptuous of the grave dangers, General Hollingsworth flew directly over the assaulting force and adjusted artillery fire into the charging Viet Cong. During the entire engagement, he continuously risked his own safety to best coordinate and direct the aggressive defense, which finally repulsed the fanatical enemy. Through his boundless courage and tactical ingenuity, he was instrumental in the defeat of the Viet Cong regiment, in which over 250 insurgents were killed. Brigadier General Hollingsworth'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. 2075 (May 6, 1967)
  

Hollis, Emmett A.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Emmett A. Hollis, 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, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry, 2d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Hollis distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 16 May 1967 while serving as radio operator of an infantry company on a night assault mission near Ap Rach Gau. While attempting to relieve a unit surrounded by a numerically superior hostile force, his company was pinned down by heavy Viet Cong machine gun and automatic weapons fire. All attempts to maneuver out of the danger zone were futile under the withering barrage of fire from the well-entrenched enemy force. Quickly evaluating the situation, Specialist Hollis stood up and rallied his men for an attack on the enemy bunkers. Ignoring the hail of bullets striking around him, he led a furious charge that destroyed the forward line of trenches. Exposing himself to the mounting volume of fire, he regrouped his men and overran the second series of Viet Cong trenches inflicting heavy casualties on the insurgents. A deadly volley of machine gun fire from the flank raked his unit, but he single-handedly attacked the bunker complex and destroyed it with grenades. Throughout the battle he stood in the open shouting orders and rallying his men until the enemy was defeated. Specialist Four Hollis' 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. 5050 (October 3, 1967)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Weldon F. Honeycutt, 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, 3d Battalion, 187th Airborne Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). Lieutenant Colonel Honeycutt distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions from 10 to 20 May 1969 while serving as battalion commander of the 3d Battalion, 187th Airborne Infantry. On 10 May Colonel Honeycutt led his battalion into the Northern Ashau Valley as part of Operation APACHE SNOW, a multi-battalion combined operation directed at enemy forces, bases and lines of communication in and adjacent to the valley. The first company on the ground came into immediate contact which was to last for the next ten days. On many occasions Colonel Honeycutt continually exposed himself to hostile fire in order to direct artillery and tactical air strikes, assist in the evacuation of the wounded and offer guidance and encouragement to his troops. On one occasion while engaged in vicious hand-to-hand fighting, Colonel Honeycutt personally killed seven of the enemy. When not on the ground controlling his battalion, Colonel Honeycutt was airborne in his command and control helicopter making low-level passes over the hostile area drawing enemy fire in an effort to locate and mark the North Vietnamese positions for air strikes. After being wounded for the second time in four days, the Assistant Division Commander ordered Colonel Honeycutt to be evacuated for the treatment of his wounds. As soon as he was treated Colonel Honeycutt insisted that he return to the field to command his battalion. This tremendous display of fighting spirit coupled with the complete disregard for his own well being, sent another surge of inspiration to his command as he returned to the battle area. During the entire operation, Colonel Honeycutt was constantly leading his battalion and inspiring his men through his personal courage and fearless actions, resulting in over five hundred North Vietnamese Army regulars killed and the virtual destruction of two enemy battalions. Lieutenant Colonel Honeycutt'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. 1860 (May 23, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William W. Hook, Specialist Fifth Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed force in the Republic of Vietnam while serving with the 82d Medical Detachment, 658th Medical Company, 68th Medical Group, 44th Medical Brigade. Specialist Five Hook distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 26 March 1967 while serving as Air Ambulance Aidman of an aeromedical helicopter, supporting infantry operations in the Tam Binh district. While landing to rescue the crew of a crippled assault helicopter, Specialist Hook's craft took several hits from a heavy barrage of enemy automatic weapons. The helicopter touched down within fifty meters of the hostile positions, but with complete disregard for his own safety, he dashed from the craft to aid two of the crewmembers of the downed plane and guide them back through the hail of fire. As the Viet Cong fire concentrated on the rescue operations, he exposed himself time after time to direct the loading of the casualties and aid the wounded. Noticing an enemy machine gun nearby, Specialist Hook grabbed a rifle and began to fire on the position. Hostile fire knocked the rifle from his hands, but he ignored his own safety and remained exposed to aid his now wounded crewchief. He was injured when his plane was shot down on takeoff, but he refused aid and immediately began calling in air strikes on the enemy using the plane's radio. He then moved toward friendly positions carrying a wounded comrade. When the evacuation helicopters arrived, he sprinted from cover and led his men through withering fire to the planes. Looking back, he saw a wounded man in need of assistance and daringly returned to help him to safety. Once more before takeoff he ignored his own security to jump off the helicopter and brave the bullet- swept battlefield to rescue a comrade unable to move. Specialist Five Hook'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. 4738 (September 18, 1967)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Perry C. Hopkins, Chief Warrant Officer (W-2), 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 161st Aviation Company, 14th Combat Aviation Battalion. Chief Warrant Officer Hopkins distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 17 May 1966 while leading a flight of two armed helicopters in support of a besieged American convoy near Phu Cat. Arriving over the battle, he immediately dove through the intense ground fire and attacked the well- entrenched Viet Cong. Although both aircraft were hit and damaged, Warrant Officer Hopkins dauntlessly pressed the attack until the ravaged convoy was able to withdraw. With their ambush broken, the insurgents concentrated their devastating fire on the two helicopters. Suddenly, a burst of automatic weapons fire ripped through the aircraft, killing the co-pilot and severing the control cables. Demonstrating composure and exceptional flying skill, Warrant Officer Hopkins successfully crash landed in a rice paddy. Jumping from the wreckage, he boldly fired his rifle into the charging Viet Cong, killing five. As the insurgents made repeated assaults, the crew dauntlessly held its position with devastating effect. Unmindful of the dangers, he courageously exposed himself to direct the fire of his gunners and extract the body of the dead co-pilot. With complete disregard for his safety, Warrant Officer Hopkins then shouldered his stricken comrade and, firing his weapon with one hand, he led his men across 70 meters of bullet-swept terrain to a rescue helicopter. Under his covering fire, they quickly boarded, and the aircraft extracted the beleaguered crew through a hail of bullets. His unimpeachable valor and profound concern for others saved his crew from certain death or capture, as they accounted for 55 dead insurgents. Chief Warrant Officer Hopkins' 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. 475 (January 31, 1967)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Ronald J. Hopkins, 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 B, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry, 3d Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. Specialist Hopkins distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 9 February 1968 as point man of his Infantry unit during a search and destroy mission near Da Nang. His squad was assigned as point squad for an attack against an estimated battalion of North Vietnamese Regulars. The initial hostile fire was so intense that Specialist Hopkins’ platoon was forced to withdraw and re-group in a shallow trench line. He then led his squad along the ditch until it encountered an enemy machine gun emplacement which he neutralized, enabling the platoon to advance. The friendly force came under fire from a second machine gun position. Specialist Hopkins moved forward, eliminated the emplacement and captured the weapon. The insurgents then employed, mortar fire against his element. Unhesitantly and with complete disregard for his personal safety, he advanced through a hail of shrapnel and small arms fire. He routed the North Vietnamese mortar crew and captured the weapon and its ammunition. As the battle continued, Specialist Hopkins saved a fellow soldier from possible injury or death by knocking him to the ground when the man failed to react to an enemy hand grenade that landed near his position. Specialist Four Hopkins’ 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. 3763 (August 2, 1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Paul W. Hopper, 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, 4th Battalion (Mechanized), 23th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Hopper distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 25 March 1968 s a member of a small scouting unit which was providing flank security for a battalion near Trang Bang. Soon after the battalion made contact with a large enemy force, Specialist Hopper's scout section met a reinforced North Vietnamese Army battalion attempting to join a larger hostile force. He immediately assumed command and under his direction the communists' first human wave assault was driven off, leaving eighty enemy dead. With three of the five armored personnel carriers destroyed by rockets and a second attack imminent, Specialist Hopper directed his men to a more defensible position while he remained behind to cover their withdrawal. As he began to move his own track to the new position, it was struck by an anti-tank rocket, wounding him and immobilizing the vehicle. Despite his injury, he organized his men, cared for the wounded and helped repel the savage attacks. Exposing himself to a hail of bullets, he recovered ammunition from his burning vehicle and used the radio to call for help until the microphone was shot away. Through his uncommon leadership, he and his eighteen men protected the exposed flank of their battalion and killed more than one hundred and fifty of the enemy. Specialist Four Hopper'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. 1164 (April 4, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William W. Horn, First Lieutenant (Field Artillery), 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, 1st Battalion, 8th Field Artillery, 25th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Horn distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 15 April 1969 while serving as executive officer of two gun sections at Patrol Base Diamond. When the battery came under massive mortar and ground attack and communication land lines were severed, Lieutenant Horn left his bunker and raced through the deadly fusillade to supervise his howitzer crews. As the attacking communists pressed the perimeter defense, he rallied his men and directed their point-blank firing. In spite of the intense hostile barrages, he traversed one hundred fifty meters to the perimeter eighteen times to confer with forward observers and to radio information to his battery fire direction center. When a rocket-propelled grenade impacted upon an ammunition bunker, he fearlessly braved the hostile bombardment to extinguish the flames. He directed the firing of numerous beehive rounds which halted the enemy's advance within ten meters of the perimeter. First Lieutenant Horn'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. 2283 (June 27, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Robert Louis Horst, Chief Warrant Officer, 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 helicopter pilot in support of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam on 7 April 1972. Chief Warrant Officer Horst'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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  Department of the Army, General Orders No. 40 (October 27, 1972)
  

*Houston, John Lucius

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John Lucius Houston, 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 Detachment A-726, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Sergeant Houston distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 6 July 1964 as a Radio Operator, serving with the United States Army Special Forces Detachment A-726 at Camp Nam Dong, Sergeant Houston demonstrated fortitude, courage, and determination when a reinforced Viet Cong battalion suddenly launched a full-scale, predawn attack on the camp. During the violent battle that ensued, lasting five hours and resulting in heavy casualties on both sides, he participated with outstanding effectiveness in defending the installation. As he was moving to his battle position, he noticed that one of his team members had been knocked down by an exploding mortar. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he rushed through a hail of small arms fire and exploding mortars, succeeded in reaching the unconscious soldier, placed him in a covered position, and stayed with him until fully recovered before proceeding to his battle station. After he had moved only a few yards and was slightly injured by an exploding mortar, Sergeant Houston pressed on toward a large mound of dirt which afforded him excellent observation and fields of fire. From this position, he single-handedly shattered the vicious enemy assault in his sector and annihilated many of the enemy troops. As the hostile forces retaliated with an intense grenade assault on his position, he again deterred the enemy action. Although his ammunition was running out, he refused to take cover, called out to a fellow soldier to throw additional rounds to him, and reloaded the magazine while exposed to the heavy enemy gunfire. Undaunted by the overwhelming onslaught, he remained in this dangerous position for over two hours to defend the camp and displayed his valiant efforts until mortally wounded by the enemy. Sergeant Houston'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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  Department of the Army, General Orders No. 8 (March 9, 1965)
  

Houthoofd, Charles

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Charles Houthoofd, 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 D, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Specialist Four Houthoofd distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on July 18, 1968, while serving as a medical aidman for an armored cavalry unit. During a mounted sweep through a rubber plantation near Loc Ninh his element was suddenly engaged by a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force which unleashed with a withering volume of small arms, automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fire. One of the tanks immediately received three direct hits from enemy antitank projectiles, severing one man's leg and injuring the vehicle's entire crew. Specialist Houthoofd, with total disregard for his safety, dismounted the vehicle in which he was riding and dashed one hundred meters through intense hostile fire to help his wounded comrades. He rapidly administered first aid to them and remained in the extremely vulnerable position to give vital intravenous transfusions. Suddenly an enemy rocket grenade detonated close to Specialist Houthoofd, rupturing both of his ear drums and wounding him in the right arm and groin. Refusing medical aid and evacuation for himself, he remained on the battlefield to care for other casualties until the fighting ended three and a half hours later. Specialist Four Houthoofd'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.