Compiled and Edited By C. Douglas Sterner

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3869 (August 21, 1970)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Glenn K. Otis, Lieutenant Colonel (Armor), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters Troop, 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division. Lieutenant Otis distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 January 1968 as commanding officer of a cavalry squadron defending against the communist Lunar New Year offensive at Tan Son Nhut Air Base. Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army forces launched a massive attack on the base and penetrated the defensive wire. Colonel Otis responded to a call for assistance and immediately led his squadron to reinforce the beleaguered friendly elements. Braving devastating rocket, machine gun and mortar fire, he repeatedly ordered low passes over the enemy positions to assess the rapidly changing situation and skillfully coordinate his unit's defenses. His aircraft was forced down on three occasions by the intense enemy fusillade, but he refused to leave the battle area and quickly secured another helicopter each time. The battle grew in intensity, as he fearlessly landed amid a curtain of fire to coordinate with his ground commanders and encourage his men to continue their staunch defenses. His skillful and aggressive leadership inspired his men to repel the attack and force the determined insurgents to withdraw. Informed that an estimated Viet Cong battalion, poised outside the perimeter, was threatening the air base, he quickly directed his unit in a search and clear operation. Repeatedly exposing himself to savage enemy fire, he led his men in a fierce attack that totally destroyed the enemy forces. His fearless leadership in the heat of battle was instrumental in preventing the vital military installation from falling into enemy hands. Lieutenant Colonel Otis' 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. 2546 (May 28, 1968)
  

Otis, Malcolm D.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Malcolm D. Otis, 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, 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division. Captain Otis distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 January 1968 at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Saigon. Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army forces launched a major offensive against the Saigon area with the mission of seizing control of critical allied military installations. One of the largest of the attacks was directed against the west end of Tan Son Nhut Air Base. The enemy succeeded in penetrating the defensive wire there and occupied the west end of the runway. Captain Otis quickly assembled his force and moved to the battle scene. Arriving at the gate of Tan Son Nhut, he immediately deployed his troop to the west into the face of the insurgent forces. Without losing the impetus of his maneuver, Captain Otis then wheeled to the south and attacked directly into the enemy flank. Even though greatly outnumbered by the enemy, the speed and ferocity of the assault forced the insurgents to take cover or flee. Throughout the seven and one- half hour battle for the hotly contested terrain, Captain Otis countered each enemy movement with a flanking force and heavy fire from his guns. Continuously exposing himself to the intense enemy fusillade, he moved from position to position on the battlefield, directing the attack and encouraging his men’s fight. When the enemy had been decisively beaten, he directed his forces in a detailed sweep through the area. Captain Otis' 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. 3011 (June 23, 1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Roger Dale Overweg, 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 B, 1st Battalion, 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade. Sergeant Overweg distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 September 1970 while serving as a member of a combat patrol during search operations in the mountainous area of Binh Dinh Province. While advancing through the rugged terrain in search of an enemy camp, the allies observed an enemy soldier run into an underground cave complex. The allies quickly sent a three-man team into the cave to search for the enemy soldier. Almost immediately they were taken under fire and all three men were seriously wounded. Sergeant Overweg, realizing the gravity of the situation, secured a rope and descended into the cave to assist his comrades. Soon after dragging one of the soldiers to a rescue point, the enemy unleashed a flurry of fire which mortally wounded Sergeant Overweg. Sergeant Overweg'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. 5248 (December 10, 1970)
  

*Pagan-Lozada, Wilfredo

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Wilfredo Pagan-Lozada, Sergeant 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, 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Sergeant First Class Pagan-Lozada distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 9 February 1967 while serving as a platoon sergeant with elements of the 5th Cavalry during a combat reconnaissance mission near Phu Loc. As his company maneuvered across open rice paddies, it suddenly received intense hostile fire from a village 100 meters to its front. Seeing his platoon leader wounded and lying exposed to enemy fire, Sergeant Pagan-Lozada dauntlessly left his covered position and dashed forward firing his weapon. When his rifle jammed, he grabbed another and fearlessly continued across the bullet swept sandbar. Unmindful of the grave dangers, Sergeant Pagan-Lozada charged on through a hail of bullets to the fallen soldier. He then fired an entire magazine into the hostile emplacements less than twenty-five meters away, as he shielded his stricken leader with his own body. When Sergeant Pagan-Lozada tried to pull the officer to safety, he was fatally wounded by enemy fire. His unimpeachable valor and selfless sacrifice, while trying to save a fellow soldier, will serve as a source of lasting inspiration to all those who knew him. Sergeant First Class Pagan-Lozada'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. 3405 (July 6, 1967)
  

Palmer, Harold T., Jr.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Harold T. Palmer, 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 Detachment A-253, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. On 12 April 1966, Sergeant Palmer was serving as an Advisor to a Civilian Irregular Defense Group on a reconnaissance patrol operating in the Ia Drang Valley, Republic of Vietnam. As the patrol screened their assigned area, they came under intense hostile automatic weapons fire directed by a well-fortified Viet Cong force wounding the patrol’s two point men and halting their progress. After hastily organizing the evacuation of the wounded, Sergeant Palmer led the patrol in an assault which routed the insurgents from their concealed positions. As the friendly forces pursued the Viet Cong, they came upon a well-positioned insurgent force. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Palmer exposed himself to intense automatic fire and single-handedly attacked and destroyed two Viet Cong machine gun positions. Sergeant Palmer radioed for air support when the Viet Cong began to move reinforcing infantry to the flanks of the patrol and courageously adjusted the 20-mm. cannon fire to within five meters of his position. As the insurgents pressed their attack, Sergeant Palmer skillfully regrouped the patrol, organized a withdrawal through the undergrowth and, upon reaching a suitable landing zone, immediately radioed for helicopters which evacuated twenty-five of the original thirty-man patrol. Sergeant Palmer’s extraordinary heroism and gallantry in actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

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  HQ US Army, Pacific, General Orders No. 194 (August 19, 1966)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Michael Dominic Paonessa, 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 Troop D (ARP), 3d Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 9th Infantry Division. Private First Class Paonessa distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 18 October 1968 while serving as a radio operator on a reconnaissance in force mission west of Cai Lay. His platoon suddenly came under intense fire from a large and well entrenched Viet Cong force, Unmindful of his own safety, Private Paonessa remained exposed to the fusillade, returning fire and using his radio to relay information to the command helicopter. When one of the squad leaders was severely wounded, he called for a rescue aircraft and further exposed himself to the barrage of hostile fire to direct the ship with hand signals. As the helicopter landed, the communists began a rocket and mortar attack. Completely ignoring the rounds bursting all around him, he provided suppressive fire while the casualties were loaded. As the craft lifted off it was hit by an enemy rocket. Seeing that the ship was falling toward the platoon leader, Private Paonessa pushed him to safety, but was himself pinned by the wreckage. He realized that another aircraft would be needed to free him and demanded that the rest of his platoon pull back while he covered the withdrawal. Although he was severely wounded, he kept the Viet Cong away from the helicopter until a rescue party was able to reach him. He was taken to a hospital where he died from his injuries. Private First Class Paonessa’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. 5831 (December 23, 1968)
  

Parker, George W.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to George W. Parker, Sergeant 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 E, 2d Battalion, 501st Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). Platoon Sergeant Parker distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 13 May 1969 when Fire Support Base Airborne came under intense mortar and rocket grenade attack, followed by an enemy sapper assault on the perimeter. With the first incoming rounds, Sergeant Parker rallied his mortar crews and commenced firing illumination and high-explosive rounds on the hostile fire that rained around his mortar emplacement, Sergeant Parker made his way to the platoon leader to warn of the ground attack on two sides of the compound. Suddenly a rocket-propelled grenade struck one of the mortar emplacements and knocked it out. Running to the position, Sergeant Parker immediately set up the mortar tube and started firing on the enemy. Although a satchel charge thrown at his position momentarily stunned him, he continued his mission, often exposing himself to the enemy barrage to obtain re-supplies of ammunition. On one of his trips to the munitions stockpile, he was attacked by four sappers armed with satchel charges, and he eliminated them with a well-thrown grenade. Through his courageous example, the Fire Support Base successfully repelled the enemy attack. Platoon Sergeant Parker'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. 477 (February 20, 1970)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Jesse J. Parker, 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 (Airborne), 327th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Specialist Four Parker distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 8 June 1967 while serving with an airborne infantry platoon on a search and destroy mission near Duc Pho. The lead elements of his platoon were savagely ambushed by a large Viet Cong force firing machine guns and automatic weapons while moving through dense jungle terrain. One of his comrades was killed and two others were seriously wounded ten meters from the enemy lines by the intense barrage, but Specialist Parker completely disregarded his own safety and dashed to carry the casualties to cover. He sprinted through a hail of ravaging fire, to retrieve the machine gunner and carried him to his own lines. Heedless of the intensifying insurgent barrage, he ran back to within ten meters of the enemy positions and picked up the machine gun. After carrying the gun to his perimeter, he returned once more with a comrade to carry another wounded man out of the dangerous area. Deadly enemy fire cut down his assistant, but he refused to take cover and carried the man back to the platoon. Again risking his life, he moved alone through the bullet-swept battleground to remove the final casualty from the firing zone. In the midst of the raging firefight he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy weapons to return time after time and retrieve equipment left by his fallen comrades. His uncommon bravery under fire resulted in his saving the lives of at least two comrades and inspired the men around him to fight furiously against the overwhelming onslaught and defeat the determined Viet Cong attackers. Specialist Four Parker’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. 6120 (November 27, 1967)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Otis Parker, Sergeant 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 Detachment B-55, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Sergeant First Class Parker distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 5 April 1970. 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. 3617 (August 7, 1970)
  

Parrish, Andrew W.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Andrew W. Parrish, 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, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Specialist Four Parrish distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 2 December 1966 while serving as machine gunner during a Viet Cong attack on his squad near Hoi Loi. The friendly unit had assumed a perimeter formation in a ditch when insurgents came into view moving towards them. As the enemy approached to within 100 meters, the squad opened fire. Hostile fire soon began to penetrate the friendly positions from three sides and Specialist Parrish realized that decisive action had to be taken. He left his covered position and single-handedly counterattacked the insurgents. He was wounded in the back, but continued to advance, firing his machine gun steadily. Specialist Parrish was wounded a second time and then a grenade exploded at his feet, damaging his machine gun and wounding him in the legs. Undaunted, he ran back to his squad’s position, picked up a wounded man’s rifle, and again assaulted the enemy. His fierce attacks had an effect and the insurgents began to withdraw. Specialist Parrish then ran out of ammunition and returned to his unit’s perimeter. He ignored his own multiple wounds and administered first aid to his wounded comrades. Almost alone, his fearless attacks on the numerically superior enemy force were responsible for disrupting the hostile attack and saving his unit from being overrun. Specialist Four Parrish’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. 4323 (August 25, 1967)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Richard Parrish, 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 Battery A, 1st Battalion, 92d Artillery, United States Army Military Forces, MR2. Specialist Four Parrish distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions during the period from 16 to 18 March 1971 while serving as an artillery forward observer with 3d Troop, 3d ARVN Cavalry Squadron, while the Vietnamese force was attempting to break through NVA forces surrounding besieged Fire Support Base T. C. Miller in Pleiku Province. Throughout the action, Specialist Parrish remained with the lead elements of the ARVN unit, calling in artillery fire support from US howitzers located at Landing Zone T. C. Miller and Landing Zone Lonely. The ARVN forces made four assaults on a banana grove occupied by hostile forces. In spite of heavy enemy fire at close range, Specialist Parrish disregarded his own safety in order to call in repeated artillery and air strikes, along with gunship support and medevac helicopters. His actions, in placing supporting fire, enabled the ARVNs to maintain the initiative in the battle. During the fourth assault, the ARVN force became caught in a withering volume of fire from 75 mm recoilless rifles, B-40 rockets, mortars and automatic weapons. Even when five of the 11 armored personnel carriers were knocked out by hostile fire, Specialist Parrish remained with the command vehicle in order to direct highly effective fire against the enemy positions. As casualties mounted, he requested medevac helicopter assistance, alternately calling in artillery support, napalm and high-explosive bombs within 200 meters of his position. He left his position several times to help load the wounded personnel aboard medevac helicopters and at one point exposed himself to intense enemy fire to carry a wounded ARVN lieutenant to a medevac aircraft. Even after sustaining leg and chest wounds, he continued to direct air and artillery support until he was evacuated. Specialist Four Parrish’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. 2847 (October 5, 1971)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James H. Patterson, Major (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 116th Assault Helicopter Company, 11th Combat Aviation Battalion. Major Patterson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 22 October 1966 as aircraft commander of a helicopter during a troop evacuation from a heavily embattled area. While carrying the last load of troops from the landing zone, Major Patterson saw a gunship crash nearby. As he maneuvered his helicopter to attempt a rescue, his own helicopter received hits and crash landed. When a man was wounded in the neck while exiting, he ignored the intense hostile fire, dragged him behind a rice paddy dike, and then immediately directed the formation of a defensive perimeter. Seeing the security deteriorate, he ran to the helicopter to obtain a machine gun. He then deliberately exposed himself to intense fire, positioned his weapon, and personally attempted to repel the insurgents. While being attacked, he moved through open positions to ensure the welfare of his men and bolster their confidence. When a rescue helicopter crashed 75 meters from his position, Major Patterson crawled and swam through the rice paddies and quickly set up their defense perimeter. Again braving the fire raking the paddies, he returned to his own crew and lead them to the perimeter of the recently downed aircraft. This consolidation of forces was a critical factor in their being saved. He realized the necessity of moving the wounded to better security, and again entered the riddled helicopter to remove a small cargo door, on which he dragged a disabled man to the rice paddy dike. When a medical evacuation aircraft arrived, he dragged the wounded across the rice paddy dikes and loaded the wounded aboard the helicopter. After a fourth helicopter crashed, he extended his perimeter to protect its men. In the morning he lead a small patrol to the originally downed ship, strengthened their perimeter with his patrol, treated three wounded men, and directed their medical evacuation. His courageous actions saved for aircraft, their crews and infantrymen. Major Patterson'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. 63 (January 5, 1967)
  

(First Award)

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to George Smith Patton, Colonel (Armor), 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 Headquarters, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Colonel Patton distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 5 September 1968 during a battle with a North Vietnamese Army force near Chanh Luu. From his command and control helicopter Colonel Patton saw a force of fifty-eight hostile soldiers attempting to escape his troops' encirclement. He immediately directed his door gunners to engage the communists and ordered his pilot to land in the vicinity of the enemy element. As the aircraft touched down it was damaged by an intense barrage of hostile fire from a deep, well concealed ravine. Aided by helicopter gunships, Colonel Patton led an assault against the North Vietnamese positions which forced the enemy to withdraw. A three-man rocket propelled grenade team remained behind to cover their retreat. When a platoon of infantry arrived to assist him, Colonel Patton led a squad into the ravine and directed an assault on the hostile position. During the fierce engagement Colonel Patton captured one of the aggressors, and the other two were killed as they tried to flee the ravine. Colonel Patton'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.