Compiled and Edited By C. Douglas Sterner

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 426 (February 7, 1969)
  

Newman, James T.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James T. Newman, Major, 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 C, 2d Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division. Major Newman distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 18 February 1971. His 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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  Department of the Army, General Orders No. 23 (May 30, 1972)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Glenn R. Nicholas, 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. Specialist Four Nicholas distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 5 July 1971. His 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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  Department of the Army, General Orders No. 23 (May 30, 1972)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Philip L. Nichols, 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, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 327th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Specialist Four Nichols distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 20 June 1966 while serving as a medic with a company conducting a heliborne assault on Hill 258, near Trung Luong. While debarking the helicopters, the first assault wave received intense hostile fire from entrenched Viet Cong on the higher portion of the hill. On several occasions, Specialist Four Nichols, with complete disregard for his safety while exposed to hostile machine gun fire, treated many wounded and carried them from the killing zone. When Specialist Four Nichols learned that one of the other platoons had suffered several serious casualties in an effort to outflank the Viet Cong positions, he immediately went to the aid of the platoon. Again, he braved intense hostile fire while treating and evacuating his fallen comrades. On his fourth trip into the killing zone, he was struck in the thigh by a hostile bullet. Despite his wound, he dragged a wounded man to safety. When he crawled back into the killing zone to aid another wounded comrade, he was hit in the same leg by two more bullets. Although bleeding profusely, he continued to treat the wounded until ordered to return to the medical extraction point. Refusing any assistance, he hobbled to the evacuation area. While awaiting medical evacuation, Specialist Four Nichols continued to administer first aid to his wounded comrades. Through his unimpeachable valor, he personally carried or dragged 10 wounded men from the killing zone and administered life saving first aid to many comrades while receiving intense hostile fire. Specialist Four Nichols' 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. 5952 (October 6, 1966)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Lon D. Nicol, 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 Troop C, 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division. Platoon Sergeant Nicol distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 2 February 1969 while on a reconnaissance-in-force mission in the vicinity of a small rubber plantation northwest of Go Dau Hau. About noon his troop discovered a large enemy bunker complex hidden along the hedgerows. On assaulting the enemy bulwark, the entire unit came under an enfilade of small arms and machine gun fire as well as rocket-propelled antitank grenades. Suddenly the lead armored personnel carrier drew a hit from extremely close range. Seeing that the entire crew was wounded, Platoon Sergeant Nicol leaped from his vehicle and rushed forward through and intense hail of fire to aid the injured. As he pulled the wounded from the burning track, he spotted a small enemy team preparing to launch grenades on the friendly position. He stormed the hostile emplacement, throwing grenades until he demolished his target. Then he carried the wounded to the medic and re-armed himself with more grenades. Pinpointing more enemy fortifications, he silenced them with precisely-delivered grenades. Later, while directing recovery operations and medical evacuation, he sighted two North Vietnamese soldiers. One had a hand grenade, and the other threatened to fire a rocket-propelled grenade at the recovery crew. Acting quickly, Sergeant Nicol shoved three of his comrades to the ground and shielded them with his own body. Fragmentation from the blast wounded him in the head and arms, while the others escaped unscathed. Platoon Sergeant Nicol'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. 2048 (June 11, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John M. Noel, 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 Troop D, 17th Armored Cavalry, 199th Infantry Brigade (Light) (Separate). Specialist Four Noel distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 6 December 1967 while serving with an armored platoon supporting and infantry battalion on a reconnaissance-in-force mission near Saigon. When his force was heavily engaged by a numerically superior Viet Cong force firing from heavily fortified positions, Specialist Noel braved the savage enemy barrage and directed withering machine gun fire on the attackers, enabling the infantry battalion to withdraw. When his vehicle commander was seriously wounded by a claymore mine, he immediately assumed command of the vehicle. While he directed the fires of his men, the carrier took a direct hit from a hostile antitank weapon that detonated grenades and ammunition in the vehicle. Although Specialist Noel's arm was severed by the blast, he completely disregarded the pain and continued to deliver withering fire on the attackers until his position became untenable. He received another severe wound in the abdomen but refused evacuation until his wounded comrades were safe. His gallant actions and selfless devotion to the safety of others at the risk of his life were instrumental in saving several lives in the heat of battle. Specialist Four Noel'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. 2637 (June 1, 1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Daniel Morris Noeldner, Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a senior medical aidman assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 35th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, near Pleiku, Republic of Vietnam, on 6 March 1969. On that day Sergeant Noeldner was serving with Company D, 2d Battalion, when it was ambushed by a force of the North Vietnamese Army. Several men in the point element were hit by the initial volley of fire and the cry for "Medic" was heard. Completely disregarding the intensity of the enemy attack and his own safety, Sergeant Noeldner rushed forward to the side of his wounded comrades. While treating the first man that he reached, he was wounded in the thigh. Refusing medical treatment for himself, he continued to assist the wounded while repeatedly exposing himself to the fire of the enemy force. Shortly thereafter he was again hit by enemy rounds while assisting his fellow soldiers. While attempting to bandage himself to stop the profuse bleeding another medic came to his aid, but Sergeant Noeldner directed him to check the other injured men. Although the crippling effect of his wounds prevented him from continuing his gallant mission, Sergeant Noeldner had significantly contributed to saving the lives of two men at the sacrifice of his own. His extraordinary heroism at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon him and the Armed Forces of his country.

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  Department of the Army, General Orders No. 85 (December 15, 1969)
  

Northrup, Ralph A.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Ralph A. Northrup, 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 B, 2d Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). Captain Northrup distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 11 January 1970 while serving as pilot of a Light Observation Helicopter operating in support of a Ranger patrol pinned down by an enemy force in Quang Tri Province. Upon arrival at the embattled patrol's location, Captain Northrup discovered that there was no landing zone. Despite heavy enemy fire and inclement weather, which had hindered previous extraction attempts by larger helicopters, Captain Northrup chose to cut a swath through the thick jungle canopy. Using his skids and rotor blades to part and chop several trees, he was able to hover about two meters above the ground. He remained in this position for three minutes while a critically wounded patrol member was strapped to the helicopter's skids. He then extracted the man from the jungle and flew him to a makeshift landing zone about two thousand meters away. He repeated this action three more times under intense enemy fire. Each time he maneuvered close enough to the ground so that the stranded patrol members could cling to the skids and be lifted free. As Captain Northrup extracted the last patrol members could cling to the skids and be lifted free. As Captain Northrup extracted the last patrol member, an estimated twenty-five man enemy force swarmed over the patrol's former position. Captain Northrup's helicopter was so battered by damage to the rotors and from enemy fire that he was later forced to make a successful emergency landing. His extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty and keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1930 (June 19, 1970)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James Ernest Nowicki, 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. Chief Warrant Officer Nowicki distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 2 November 1969. His 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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  Department of the Army, General Orders No. 30 (September 18, 1973)
  

*Nunez, Rudolph Algar

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Rudolph Algar Nunez, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop D, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division. Sergeant Nunez distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 January 1966. His 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. 5885 (1966)
  

*Nussbaumer, Steve Owen

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Steve Owen Nussbaumer, 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 Troop C, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry, 1st Armored Division. Specialist Four Nussbaumer distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 25 August 1968. His 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. 36 (June 6, 1969)
  

*Nutt, Walter Lee, III

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Walter Lee Nutt, III, 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 D, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Private First Class Nutt distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 28 April 1969 during a reconnaissance-in-force mission near Fire Support Base Danger in Giao Duc District in Kien Phuong Province. As his platoon maneuvered through ad densely vegetated area, Private Nutt walked behind the leading members of the file. Suddenly an enemy force initiated an ambush with a volley of shots that killed the first two men in the patrol and wounded four more. When he saw his fallen comrades, Private Nutt rushed through a hail of hostile fire and began to administer lifesaving aid to the injured. As he heroically made his way toward a third injured man, he was struck by enemy rounds which mortally wounded him. Private First Class Nutt'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. 2500 (July 11, 1969)
  

Nutter, Raymond T.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Raymond T. Nutter, Major (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with 121st Assault Helicopter Company, 13th Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Brigade. Major Nutter distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 18 October 1966 while serving as platoon leader of an armed helicopter team supporting combat operations near Vi Thanh. Major Nutter led his aircraft in strikes at heavily fortified Viet Cong positions that were threatening a small friendly force. When two evacuation helicopters were forced to abandon attempts to reach the ground unit because of intense fire, Major Nutter decided to fly in for the pickup himself. As he brought his helicopter down, it was hit by a burst of fire which riddled the cabin, shot away the controls, and killed the other pilot. In the crash, Major Nutter suffered a large gash in his leg, but led the two crew members out of the aircraft and deeper into the swamp as the Viet Cong closed in on the wreckage. With the hope of escaping to friendly territory, they decided to move stealthily through the enemy positions, which were not under air and artillery assault. Hampered by his injury and beset by leeches and mosquitoes, he hacked his way through the swamp growths with a knife. On two occasions, when an armed insurgent attacked them, Major Nutter killed them with his knife. Suffering from cold, mosquitoes, and the pain of his wounds, and endangered by artillery fire all night, Major Nutter hid until morning in a rice paddy. Early the next day, he made contact with a friendly Vietnamese force. Major Nutter'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. 3512 (July 12, 1967)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Patrick Oakland, 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, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Sergeant Oakland distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 4 April 1968 as a squad leader of an infantry company during a waterborne reconnaissance-in-force operation. The boat column was attacked by a well-entrenched enemy force firing rockets and machine guns. Sergeant Oakland's troop carrier beached immediately and, despite the heavy volume of hostile fire, he advanced into the face of the enemy. Moving from man to man, he organized his squad for an assault. The enemy's fire was too intense for his troops to suppress it effectively. Sergeant Oakland fearlessly moved forward alone and killed two Viet Cong in a key machine gun position that was blocking the platoon's movement. Although wounded in the shoulder, he made his way back to his platoon leader and reported the disposition of the enemy. He then returned to the area of heaviest contact to bring additional fire on the insurgents and to further evaluate the situation. Although wounded a second time by machine gun fire, Sergeant Oakland again maneuvered through the heavy fire to report to his platoon leader. As the numerically superior Viet Cong prepared to assault, his platoon began a withdrawal. Sergeant Oakland voluntarily remained behind to provide covering fire as his comrades re-boarded the troop carrier. After delaying the enemy advance for as long as possible, he camouflaged himself to escape detection and, under cover of darkness returned to friendly lines that night. Sergeant Oakland'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. 3761 (August 2, 1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Terence Dale O'Brien, 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 A, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry, 3d Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant O'Brien distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 13 November 1966 while serving as Platoon Leader during a search and destroy operation in enemy controlled territory along the Cambodian border. As his platoon moved through the jungle forward of the company, it received voluminous machine gun and mortar fire from a large North Vietnamese force. Lieutenant O'Brien immediately deployed his unit to return fire and counter the enemy thrusts. While moving to place his troops into more advantageous positions throughout the area, he was wounded in both legs by enemy sniper fire. Disregarding his painful injuries, Lieutenant O'Brien remained on the front lines to direct his men and aid the wounded. As the North Vietnamese repeatedly attempted to overrun the platoon with human wave assaults, he relentlessly held his position, allowing the remainder of the beleaguered force to establish a defensive perimeter. He then braved the onslaught of enemy fire as he led his troops back to the friendly perimeter and directed their tactical positions. It was during this action that Lieutenant O'Brien was fatally wounded by an exploding mortar. First Lieutenant O'Brien'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. 3969 (August 2, 1967)
  

O'Claire, Richard D.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Richard D. O'Claire, 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 Advisory Team 33, United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. First Lieutenant O'Claire distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 22 February 1969 while serving as Battalion Senior Advisor and accompanying a Vietnamese company which was conducting a joint operation with a tank platoon. The combined elements encountered a battalion- sized Viet Cong force entrenched in bunkers, streams and rice paddies to the east of the hamlet of Binh Lam. Immediately exposing himself to enemy small arms, automatic weapons, mortar and rocket fire, Lieutenant O'Claire pinpointed several Viet Cong bunkers and brought accurate tank fire against these positions. His unit advanced to a stream line where he again directed tanks and gun ships, personally killing a communist by crawling to within four feet of a bunker and hurling a grenade inside. After spearheading an assault during which three Viet Cong were captured and directing air strikes, he was attempting to advance when the hostile fire increased in intensity, wounding him and forcing the Vietnamese troops to withdraw to permit additional air strikes. Disregarding his injuries, he continued to supervise the tanks and other fire support until his men had reached safety and sufficient fire power was being placed on the enemy. First Lieutenant O'Clare'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. 1582 (May 3, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Terrence M. O'Connell, 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 Troop D, 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant O'Connell distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 8 January 1970 while leading a combat patrol in search of enemy soldiers near Cu Chi. As the patrol maneuvered beside a thickly vegetated hedgerow, faint voices were heard coming from the mouth of an underground enemy tunnel. Lieutenant O'Connell immediately directed his interpreter to instruct the enemy soldiers to surrender. Two enemy soldiers surrendered immediately upon hearing the first command and a third yielded after a second directive was issued. As the third enemy soldier left the tunnel opening, a grenade was tossed from the hole but exploded harmlessly among the alert patrol members. Utilizing the temporary disorganization caused by the explosion, the third enemy soldier drew a grenade he had concealed on his person and tossed it toward Lieutenant O'Connell and two patrol members. Lieutenant O'Connell immediately shoved one dazed comrade to the ground and fell on top of the second man as the grenade descended toward his left shoulder and exploded. Although critically wounded by the explosion, Lieutenant O'Connell's unhesitating actions enabled his two companions to escape the blast with only minor fragmentation wounds. First Lieutenant O'Connell'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.