Compiled and Edited By C. Douglas Sterner

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 6561 (November 29, 1966)
  

Knight, Robert Clyde

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Robert Clyde Knight, Captain (Aviation), 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 336th Assault Helicopter Company, 13th Combat Aviation (Delta) Battalion, 164th Combat Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade. Captain Knight distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 January 1968 as an aircraft commander and the leader of an assault helicopter platoon defending against the communist Lunar New Year offensive on Soc Trang. An enemy battalion reinforced by numerous local guerilla companies launched a coordinated mortar and ground assault on the city and the adjacent airfield. Captain Knight dashed through a hail of impacting rounds to reach his gunship as others took cover all around him. Airborne, he flew low over the enemy positions, locating several weapons emplacements from which devastating fire was hitting the air base. Without regard to the savage barrage directed at his ship, he successfully destroyed several vital enemy positions with rockets and machine gun fire. As other helicopters arrived, he organized them into a team and directed their assaults on the determined insurgents. As the siege on the air field lifted at dawn, he led his platoon toward the city where Viet Cong threatened to overrun vital military positions. Another officer was assigned the mission Captain Knight had ably performed throughout the night and early morning hours, but he refused to ground his aircraft for a deserved rest. Instead he joined in fierce attacks on enemy forces attempting to gain control of the area. For over twenty-eight consecutive hours, he repeatedly risked his life and braved withering fire to knock out hostile weapons positions and destroy the assaulting Viet Cong forces. His fearless efforts in the heat of battle inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy and were instrumental in repelling the massive offensive. Captain Knight'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. 2650 (June 1, 1968)
  

Kopsolias, Lester

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Lester Kopsolias, Private First 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 A, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Private First Class Kopsolias distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 18 July 1968 while serving as the driver of an armored personnel carrier during a mounted sweep through a rubber plantation near Loc Ninh. His troop was engaged by a North Vietnamese Army company firing small arms, automatic weapons and anti-tank rockets. Private Kopsolias directed his vehicle in a counter assault on the attacking force, taking the lead when the sole track in front of him was hit and totally disabled. Two enemy rockets detonated against his carrier, wounding everyone inside. Private Kopsolias called for a medic and together they removed the seriously injured commander, gave him first aid and then carried him over a hundred meters to an evacuation vehicle. Completely disregarding his safety, Private Kopsolias then returned to his track and for more than twenty minutes defended it alone by constantly firing his fifty caliber machine gun into the enemy positions. When twenty-five North Vietnamese soldiers began an assault on his position he fired the gun into their midst, slaying several and dispersing the rest. He took complete command of the vehicle when replacements were sent to aid him. Despite another wound received when the track was again hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, he remained in charge until the battle ended. Private First Class Kopsolias' 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. 5028 (October 29, 1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Chelse C. Korte, Second Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 61st Infantry, 1st Infantry Brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized). Second Lieutenant Korte distinguished himself while serving as leader of a weapons platoon during the defense of a night perimeter just south of the Demilitarized Zone. Early that morning, waves of North Vietnamese regulars assaulted Lieutenant Korte's position under cover of rocket-propelled grenade, mortar, and automatic weapons fire. Although hit in the abdomen by an enemy round early in the fighting, Lieutenant Korte refused medical aid and continued to direct the return fire of his men. When the blast of a rocket-propelled grenade threw one of his men outside the perimeter, Lieutenant Korte, though weakened by his own wound, moved through a hail of enemy fire to his fallen comrade and pulled him back within the perimeter. Lieutenant Korte attempted to administer first aid to the wounded soldier, but he lapsed into unconsciousness from exhaustion and loss of blood. When he regained consciousness, Lieutenant Korte ordered the medical aidman treating his wound to attend to the soldier he had just retrieved. He then staggered off to the perimeter and resumed command of his defenses. Sighting two enemy soldiers firing from behind a clump of bushes, Lieutenant Korte summoned a rifleman to his side and gave the soldier two hand grenades. He then stood up in the open to attract the attention of the enemy soldiers. As the two enemy rose to open fire, Lieutenant Korte's companion hurled his grenades and killed both enemy soldiers. Noticing then that machine gunners on the perimeter were low on ammunition, Lieutenant Korte three times crawled over thirty meters under fire to the gun emplacements with resupplies of ammunition. Despite Lieutenant Korte's determined efforts to hold air the enemy onrush, one side of the perimeter was about to be overrun. Lieutenant Korte then crawled to the other side of the perimeter and ordered reinforcements to the endangered aide. While deploying these troops to defensive positions, Lieutenant Korte collapsed unconscious on the battlefield. Emboldened by Lieutenant Korte's indomitable fighting spirit, his men, though overwhelmingly outnumbered, emerged from their foxholes and charged the enemy attackers. So stunned were the enemy that they broke contact and fled, leaving over a hundred dead and wounded on the battlefield. Second Lieutenant Korte'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. 835 (April 8, 1970)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Richard Arne Koski, First Lieutenant (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 A, 3d Battalion, 34th Artillery, 9th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Koski distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 8 March 1968 as artillery forward observer with an infantry unit during an airmobile assault mission near My Tho. The helicopter formation received a devastating volume of automatic weapons and machine gun fire as it arrived at the landing zone, and only Lieutenant Koski's ship and one other aircraft were able to discharge their passengers onto the battlefield. The insurgents immediately pressed a furious assault on the outnumbered friendly forces with savage rocket, mortar and small arms fire. Braving the withering fusillade, Lieutenant Koski called for artillery support and skillfully adjusted the fire to within twenty-five meters of the defenders' perimeter. Shrapnel and enemy bullets struck all around him, but he moved into the open time after time to locate Viet Cong emplacements and destroy them with deadly strikes. Seriously wounded by an exploding enemy round, he fearlessly continued his mission until he succumbed to his injuries. His gallant and selfless actions in the heat of battle were instrumental in repelling the determined hostile attack and forcing the insurgents to withdraw. First Lieutenant Koski'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. 2869 (June 17, 1968)
  

*Kotrc, James Carl

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James Carl Kotrc, 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 D, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Captain Kotrc distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 29 July 1969 while commanding an airborne assault mission to reinforce a beleaguered Civilian Defense Group. When his unit began to receive hostile fire after disembarking from helicopters, Captain Kotrc quickly organized his men to sweep toward the enemy positions. As his company closed on the bunkers concealed in a hedgerow at the edge of a rice paddy, he encountered a wounded American advisor to whom he rendered emergency aid. After a medic arrived, Captain Kotrc directed gunship fire on the enemy and then rallied his men to drive the communists from their bunkers. During this valiant maneuver, Captain Kotrc was severely wounded, but he refused medical attention and continued to direct his men in taking a bunker system in a second hedgerow some seventy-five meters beyond the first. Advancing to the enemy emplacement through a barrage of rifle fire, he threw a grenade into the hedgerow. Although his feat succeeded in breaking the enemy stronghold, he was fatally wounded by hostile fire. Captain Kotrc'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. 3787 (October 7, 1969)
  

Kratzer, William M.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William M. Kratzer, 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 Vietnam Team 2, United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Kratzer distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 April 1971 while serving as Heavy Weapons Advisor at Fire Support Base Honey in Quang Ngai Province. On the morning of the date cited, an enemy sapper force succeeded in breaching the defenses of the fire base under cover of rocket, mortar and small arms fire. Sergeant Kratzer immediately moved to assist the ARVN battalion commander in repulsing the attack. Upon leaving the protection of his bunker, he was thrown to the ground by a grenade blast which wounded him in both arms. Continuing to move under fire, he received a gunshot wound which shattered his leg bone. Despite his painful wounds and loss of blood, Sergeant Kratzer dragged himself some 40 meters uphill past destroyed and burning bunkers until he reached an ARVN artillery position where he requested a radio in order to establish communications with his parent unit. As he waited for the radio, a nearby ammunition bunker exploded, inflicting still more wounds on him and causing a partial loss of hearing. Although suffering from shock, pain and loss of blood, Sergeant Kratzer secured the radio and called in support for the beleaguered outpost. He continued to advise supporting elements of the tactical situation until he lost consciousness from his wounds. Thanks to his heroic efforts, helicopter gunships arrived in time to drive off the attackers and inflict heavy casualties on the enemy. Staff Sergeant Kratzer'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. 2950 (October 19, 1971)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John William Kreckel, 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, 2d Battalion, 506th Infantry, 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). Sergeant Kreckel distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 22 July 1970 while serving as a squad leader during an intense enemy attack at Fire Support Base Ripcord. Soon after the enemy initiated their attack on the base, the allies were forced to withdraw from their hilltop location to organize a counter-offensive. As they prepared to assault the enemy, the allied element began receiving intense fire from an enemy machine gun emplacement located on higher terrain. Without hesitation, Sergeant Kreckel ran into the fire-swept area and began administering aid to wounded allied soldiers. He then organized several companions into an assault force and led them up the hill toward the enemy position. As the assault force neared the enemy emplacement, intense fire forced them to take cover. At this time, Sergeant Kreckel observed a companion standing directly in the line of fire of an enemy weapon. Leaving his covered position, the sergeant ran to the soldier and pushed him to safety but was simultaneously killed by the enemy fusillade. Sergeant Kreckel'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. 5063 (November 12, 1970)
  

*Krupinski, Raymond John

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Raymond John Krupinski, 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 B, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). First Lieutenant Krupinski distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 30 April 1969 while serving as platoon leader of a patrol operating in Binh Long Province. As he was positioning his men in an ambush formation, an enemy force opened fire with automatic weapons and rockets. He immediately directed retaliatory fire and called the medics to administer aid to the wounded. As he and his machine gun crew were attempting to move in on a hostile emplacement, the assistant gunner was wounded as well as the medical aidman who tried to reach him. Lieutenant Krupinski quickly proceeded to remove the wounded gunner. As he was pulling the man to safety, he was wounded. Refusing medical treatment, he returned to the area to recover the medic. As he was heroically attempting to rescue the injured man, he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. First Lieutenant Krupinski'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. 2527 (July 12, 1969)
  

*Kunz, Anthony Edward (MIA)

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Anthony Edward Kunz, 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, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Sergeant Kunz distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 4 May 1967 while serving as pointman with an infantry company during a search and destroy mission near the Cambodian border. When his unit engaged a Viet Cong force, Sergeant Kunz moved fearlessly from one man to another to position them and direct their fire. He organized his element into a small perimeter and began to locate hostile positions. As he moved about, he received a serious abdominal wound, but continued inflict casualties on the enemy. When the Viet Cong tried to envelop his company, Sergeant Kunz spotted three insurgents moving toward his perimeter to set up a sniper position. He ran to engage them and killed them all with a burst of rifle fire. As he made his way back to his unit's perimeter, Sergeant Kunz was fired upon by two machine gun emplacements. Still bleeding and in pain from his previous wound, he pulled himself forward using vines and undergrowth to within hand grenade range of the enemy positions. He then got to his feet and threw a grenade which destroyed both hostile weapons. Sergeant Kunz was morally wounded in the tremendous outburst of fire that followed this courageous act. Sergeant Kunz'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. 3883 (July 29, 1967)
  

Kurz, Alfred

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Alfred Kurz, 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, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 327th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). Private First Class Kurz distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 16 April 1968 as a rifleman during a search and clear mission near Phu Bai. While his platoon was moving through dense jungle it encountered heavy enemy fire and the lead man was critically wounded. Private Kurz was second in the formation and although wounded in the initial barrage, he unleashed a heavy volume of retaliatory fire which forced the aggressors to remain under cover. Despite the vicious enemy fusillade he then attempted to carry his stricken comrade to safety. Suddenly an enemy grenade landed within three feet of him and, with complete disregard for his own life, he picked it up and attempted to throw it back at the communists. As he released the deadly missile it detonated, seriously wounding him. His quick action, however, saved the lives of five soldiers who were within ten meters of the grenade. Private First Class Kurz'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. 169 (January 16, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Bobby W. Kyles, 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, 7th Cavalry, 3d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Specialist Four Kyles distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 27 February 1969 while serving as senior radio operator on a reconnaissance-in-force mission northeast of Bien Hoa. While traversing a woody knoll, his company encountered an attack from hostile small arms and automatic weapons fire. When two men fell wounded, Specialist Kyles and his company commander rushed forward to place suppressive fire on the enemy, allowing the downed men to be moved back. Even as he returned fire, Specialist Kyles established communication to the command post for his company commander. During the next assault, which penetrated the communists' position, the company commander was wounded, and Specialist Kyles braved a hail of bullets to assist in bandaging the injured officer. The company, moving under supporting artillery fire, assaulted the enemy a third time. Suddenly an aerial rocket struck an enemy rocket cache located directly in front of the company command group and the first platoon. In the resultant explosion, seventeen soldiers were wounded, including the company commander, the forward artillery observer, and Specialist Kyles. Realizing that the commander was temporarily out of action, Specialist Kyles contacted the gun ships and adjusted their target zone further to the front. Disregarding his painful chest and abdominal wounds, he encouraged the company to press on, thereby enabling the wounded to be removed to safety. He then radioed the battalion command post requesting replacements for the company commander, the forward artillery observer and two radiomen. Turning his attention to tactics, he helped coordinate and stabilize the friendly ground actions and provided the command post with accurate and timely information. Only after the enemy began withdrawing and the level of fighting subsided did he allow himself to be evacuated for medical treatment with the other wounded. Specialist Four Kyles' 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. 1957 (June 4, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Stephen Eugene Laier, 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. On 4 February 1966, Specialist Laier, a radio telephone operator, of the 3d Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, was accompanying his platoon on a night combat operation in the vicinity of Lai Khe, Republic of Vietnam. At approximately 1745 hours, an insurgent force of unknown strength, utilizing antipersonnel mines and small arms fire as a prime means of their offensive, ambushed the platoon causing them to suffer heavy casualties. During the initial insurgent assault, Specialist Laier was seriously wounded from the effects of a mine which severed his legs from his body and knocked his radio off frequency. Despite the intense surging pain from his serious wounds, Specialist Laier fought off unconsciousness, recalibrated his radio, and established contact with higher headquarters to request assistance for his besieged platoon. As a result of his request, troop laden helicopters were dispatched to the battle areas. As the friendly aircraft approached the site, Specialist Laier directed their landing to his position, which at that time was relatively safe from the Viet Cong assault. With darkness drawing near, he directed the relief elements to the other besieged platoon members in order to effect their timely and safe evacuation. Specialist Laier later died as a result of his mortal wounds. His extraordinary heroism, gallantry in action, and supreme sacrifice were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Arm and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.