Compiled and Edited By C. Douglas Sterner

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John J. Lewis, 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, 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 3d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. First Lieutenant Lewis distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 3 and 4 February 1968 as an infantry platoon leader during the campaign to regain control of the city of Hue. During an engagement with strong forward elements of a North Vietnamese Army regiment, his battalion charged across an open area against well entrenched enemy forces concealed in the woodline on the far side. As Lieutenant Lewis' company neared the woodline, a heavy volume of accurate small arms fire struck the unit and temporarily halted its advance. Lieutenant Lewis quickly organized a squad of volunteers to maneuver against the fortified emplacements. Moving from his covered position, he led the team across open ground. At a slight rise, he deployed his men as a fire support element and continued on alone to a point within hand grenade range of the insurgents' bunkers. He then began to destroy the positions one by one with grenades and small arms fire. As each bunker was eliminated, the enemy desperately directed more and more fire at him, but he continued his mission until all the bunkers were destroyed. Lieutenant Lewis then began to supervise the medical evacuation of the wounded. As he did so, he observed the litter bearers come under heavy volume of fire. He secured all available smoke grenades and moved forward to provide covering smoke for the rescue teams. Early the next morning, the enemy regiment received reinforcements and attacked the friendly force's perimeter. Lieutenant Lewis' section received the brunt of the assault. Through his outstanding leadership his unit was able to repulse each enemy advance and inflict heavy casualties upon the attackers. The friendly forces then made a tactical withdrawal. Lieutenant Lewis once again organized and led a party of volunteers to retrieve wounded from the bullet-swept forward edge of the battle area. With the cover of a smoke screen he had established, he ran across open ground three times, carrying out wounded and equipment. Lieutenant Lewis' 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. 3674 (July 31, 1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Robert Allan Lhota, 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 D, 1st battalion, 11th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized). Specialist Four Lhota distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 September 1968 while serving as an assistant machine gunner on a search and destroy mission in Quang Tri Province. His platoon was suddenly attacked by an enemy force occupying well concealed bunkers, and became pinned down by the aggressors' cross fire. Specialist Lhota took a machine gun from a wounded man and placed effective fire on the hostile emplacements, enabling his fellow soldiers to begin a withdrawl. The enemy concentrated on his position, and he was seriously wounded by a rocket that exploded next to him. Refusing to be evacuated, he continued to man the machine gun until he was hit a second time and his weapon was damaged. A comrade attempted to carry him to safety, but Specialist Lhota resisted, and instead began shooting his rifle at the communists. He was struck again by the hostile fusillade and was mortally wounded. Through bravery and self-sacrifice most of the platoon escaped the murderous barrage. Specialist Lhota'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. 5470 (November 27, 1968)
  

*Liebespeck, James Warren

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James Warren Liebespeck, 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 588th Engineer Battalion (Combat). Staff Sergeant Liebespeck distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on on a minesweeping operation near Dau Tieng, Republic of Vietnam, on 21 May 1968. Sergeant Liebspeck was serving as a squad leader in a Combat Engineer company and was sweeping a heavily traveled main supply route to allow re-supply convoys to move through. In the process of the minesweep Sergeant Liebespeck found a large piece of metal. He checked for boobytraps and then raised the medal, exposing and activating a grenade. Sergeant Liebespeck, hearing a warning from a fellow squad member, dropped the piece of metal. Approximately four steps away and nearing safety, Sergeant Liebespeck, recognizing the danger to his men, turned and ran back to the grenade. As he reached to pick it up the grenade exploded. Through his indomitable courage, complete disregard for his own safety, and profound concern for his fellow soldiers, he averted possible loss of life and injury to the members of his squad. Sergeant Liebespeck'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. 80 (December 16, 1968)
  

Home Town: La Puente, California

Lindemann, Edward W.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Edward W. Lindemann, 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, 4th Medical Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Lindeman distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 26 April 1970 while serving as a medical aidman on a long range reconnaissance patrol operating deep within enemy controlled territory. Shortly after initiating contact with a hostile force of unknown size, an enemy hand grenade landed next to Specialist Lindemann. Without hesitation, the specialist warned his nearby comrades and threw himself on the grenade to shield his companions. Although the grenade did not detonate, he remained on top of it until all his companions reached safety. He then gently lifted himself from the device and continued his mission. Specialist Four Lindemann'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. 4197 (1970)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to David J. Lindsay, 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 E, 3d Battalion (Airmobile) 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division. Sergeant Lindsay distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 23 and 24 January 1970 while serving as a team leader of a six man reconnaissance patrol in Binh Dinh Province. While set up in a night defense perimeter, Sergeant Lindsay’s patrol came under heavy attack by an estimated platoon size force of North Vietnamese regulars. He quickly led his team to the cover of a nearby boulder formation and then engaged the enemy. Form an unprotected position atop a boulder, Sergeant Lindsay directed supporting artillery fire which successfully silenced the enemy attack for the remainder of the night. By morning the enemy force had received reinforcements and resumed the attack on Sergeant Lindsay’s position. Sergeant Lindsay dashed to within fifteen meters of the enemy to retrieve badly needed ammunition, at the same time drawing enemy fire so that the supporting helicopter gunships could pinpoint the enemy positions. During the ensuing battle, he repeatedly moved out to engage the enemy, throwing hand grenades while directing and encouraging his men. While moving forward to set up a claymore mine, enemy small arms fire struck a smoke grenade which he had fastened to his leg. Despite the pain caused by the ignited grenade, he detonated the mine and silenced the enemy fire in that vicinity. Learning that a comrade had been wounded and realizing that the enemy now had the team completely surrounded, he directed helicopter gunships to fire extremely close to his team and unselfishly threw his own body over the wounded man to protect him. The gunfire proved effective and forced the enemy to flee. Sergeant Lindsay’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. 1579 (June 3, 1970)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James J. Lindsay, 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, 2d Battalion, 60th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division. Lieutenant Colonel Lindsay distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions from 31 May to 4 June 1968 during an operation which located and destroyed three main force Viet Cong and North Vietnamese battalions in the Plain of Reeds. After two days of tracking the enemy, Colonel Lindsay accompanied his battalion as it was inserted by air into the flank of the communists. Immediately upon landing, his men were brought under extremely heavy automatic weapons and small arms fire from a nearby woodline. Moving from position to position under the hail of bullets, he directed his troops’ fire and, once fire superiority had been gained, led an assault into the hostile bunker complex which destroyed sixty of the fortifications and forced the enemy to withdraw. He then entered his helicopter and flew low over the embattled area to direct the encirclement of the foe. Noticing a group of Viet Cong escaping across a small canal which had not yet been sealed off, he stopped them with hand grenades and rifle fire. After returning to the ground, he exposed himself to the vicious enemy fusillade to coordinate return fire which repelled the enemy’s attempt to break the encirclement. While leading a sweep through the woodline early in the morning of 4 June, he surprised three Viet Cong whom he engaged and killed before they could inflict any casualties upon his men. Lieutenant Colonel Lindsay’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. 461 (February 10, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William Lines, Jr., 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 Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. Sergeant Lines distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions 7 May 1968 as a platoon sergeant on a reconnaissance-in-force mission near the village of Thu Duc. He was leading his platoon to the aid of a friendly element which had engaged a numerically superior Viet Cong force. His unit was suddenly subjected to a heavy volume of enemy automatic weapons and machine gun fire as it entered the contested area. Although wounded by the fusillade, Sergeant Lines deployed his men in defensive positions and repeatedly exposed himself to the enemy barrage as he moved among them to direct their suppressive fire. As the Viet Cong intensified their attack, he advanced upon their emplacements, destroying them with accurately thrown hand grenades and bursts of rifle fire. He then rallied his men and led an assault on the communist positions, personally slaying two enemy snipers in close combat. When air support was called for, Sergeant Lines led a squad to an extreme forward position to direct an intense volume of fire upon the enemy, enabling two other elements to withdraw and evacuate their wounded. Through his bravery, the lives of many fellow soldiers were saved and the Viet Cong were totally defeated. Sergeant Line’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. 4624 (October 4, 1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John Francis Link, 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 B-52, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Specialist Four Link distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 29 March 1968 as Special Forces advisor to a Vietnamese platoon conducting a combat operation in enemy territory. The unit had just completed a helicopter assault into an exposed landing zone when it was subjected to intense automatic weapons, rocket, grenade and mortar fire from an enemy force occupying positions on three sides of the landing zone. Braving a withering hail of hostile fire, Specialist Link raced across the open clearing and removed equipment from two helicopters which had been shot down by the savage fusillade. He placed fierce fire on the enemy and assisted three wounded comrades to the relative safety of a rise of ground at the edge of the landing zone. Continuing to expose himself to the barrage, Specialist Link fearlessly left his unit’s hasty defensive perimeter numerous time throughout the raging battle to treat casualties and pull them to cover. He was thrown to the ground and wounded by rocket and mortar fire, but got up and courageously resumed his lifesaving efforts. While shielding the body of a fallen soldier from the ravaging enemy fire, Specialist Link was mortally wounded. Specialist Four Link’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. 1840 (April 20, 1968)
  

*Little, William F., III

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William F. Little, III, 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 E, 2d Battalion, 3d Infantry, 199th Infantry Brigade. First Lieutenant Little distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 11 November 1969 while serving as platoon leader during a reconnaissance operation southwest of Xuan Loc. After his point element discovered signs of recent enemy activity and three well-concealed enemy bunkers, Lieutenant Little started moving the rest of his platoon forward to the point element. Suddenly a concealed enemy force opened fire with small arms and automatic weapons, Lieutenant Little moved forward through the intense enemy fire to pinpoint the hostile positions. He then called in artillery and gunship support and remained in an exposed position to adjust the supporting fire. During a lull in enemy fire, Lieutenant Little and one of his men began to flank the enemy positions. When he suddenly saw an enemy soldier aiming at his companion Lieutenant Little pushed the unwary soldier to the ground and, in doing so, was seriously wounded. As Lieutenant Little fell to the ground, he fired his weapon and killed the enemy soldier. Almost immediately, Lieutenant Little was subjected to a burst of hostile fire and was mortally wounded. First Lieutenant Little's 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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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 4507 (December 22, 1969)
  

*Litwin, Robert Richard

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Robert Richard Litwin, Sergeant 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 Company A, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate). Platoon Sergeant Litwin distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 22 June 1967 while serving as rifle platoon sergeant of an infantry company on a search and destroy mission near Dak To. His platoon was savagely attacked by a North Vietnamese battalion and pinned down by an intense hail of automatic weapons fire. Seeing his platoon leader killed, Sergeant Litwin stood up in the midst of the raging firefight to rally his men against the numerically superior hostile force. Wounded early in the battle, he refused aid and directed the fire of his men on wave after wave of onrushing enemy soldiers. He heard a cry for help and braved withering fire to race forward of his lines and aid a wounded comrade. Wounded again, he bravely carried the man back to safety under heavy fire. He continued to repel the mass assaults while radioing for air strikes within fifty meters of his positions. He sustained another wound while directing the air and artillery strikes, but continued to refuse aid while fighting furiously to repulse the enemy onslaught. Realizing that his defenses could not last much longer, he moved through the bullet-swept area directing the withdrawal of his men. While evacuating the wounded, he was hit again. Continuing to refuse aid, he sent his men ahead and remained to cover the withdrawal. He was mortally wounded while courageously leading his men in the face of grave danger. Platoon Sergeant Litwin'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. 5285 (October 16, 1967)
  

*Loback, Thomas John

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Thomas John Loback, 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 Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 5th Infantry, 2d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Private First Class Loback distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 February 1968 as medical aidman for an infantry platoon conducting a reconnaissance-in-force operation near Hoc Mon. His platoon had just moved into a hedgerow when it was subjected to intense small arms, automatic weapons, and rocket fire from a North Vietnamese Army battalion in well fortified positions. One squad was immediately pinned down by the savage barrage and sustained several casualties. Hearing a call for medical aid, Private Loback unhesitatingly crawled forward through a withering hail of bullets and flying shrapnel, treated five wounded troops and assisted them to a position of relative safety. Continuing to brave the ravaging hostile fusillade, he raced across a bullet-swept rice filed to the side of another wounded comrade and skillfully treated him. The soldier had begun moving toward cover when he was hit again by enemy sniper fire. Exposing himself to a curtain of raking machine gun fire, Private Loback fearlessly rushed back to the casualty and treated him a second time. Refusing to abandon his life-saving mission, he began to pull his seriously wounded patient to safety. Private Loback was instantly killed by enemy automatic weapons fire while gallantly placing the welfare of a fellow soldier above his own in the heat of battle. Private First Class Loback'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. 1820 (April 19, 1969)
  

Loftus, Robert

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Robert Loftus, 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 B, 3d Battalion, 21st Infantry, 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. Private First Class Loftus distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 20 August 1968 while serving as a medical aidman during a search and destroy mission in the Khe Sanh Valley. When his company received fire from a North Vietnamese bunker complex, Private Loftus immediately ran to the foremost positions to administer aid to four wounded Americans. Although he was subjected to intense hostile fire from close range, and at one point had an enemy round crease his helmet, Private Loftus treated the four soldiers and then carried them to a sheltered position some sixty meters away. Again braving the enemy barrage, he treated and extracted five more comrades from positions which were under fire. While carrying one wounded man from the conflict area, he came under direct fire, and the injured soldier in his arms was struck by another enemy round. Without hesitation, Private Loftus assaulted the hostile emplacement and destroyed it with a hand grenade and continued to evacuate the casualty. Private First Class Loftus’ 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. 459 (February 17, 1970)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Larry Joseph Loncon, 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, 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Specialist Four Loncon distinguished himself while serving as a medical aidman during combat operations in Phuoc Long Province. Specialist Loncon was accompanying a friendly force up a steep, densely vegetated hill when the lead element came under an intense volley of fire from a well entrenched enemy force. Without hesitation, Specialist Loncon advanced through the hostile fire until he reached a seriously wounded soldier in the lead element. While under enemy fire; he skillfully applied first aid to the soldier's wounds and assisted him to a rear position. The Specialist then returned to the forward area of contact to treat two comrades who had been seriously wounded. Although seriously wounded by enemy fire as he treated the two casualties, he continued to treat his comrades and assist them to safety until he collapsed. Specialist Four Loncon'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.