Compiled and Edited By C. Douglas Sterner

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3397 (November 30, 1972)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Claude Quick, Jr., Specialist Fifth Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action during military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Specialist Five Quick distinguished himself by heroic actions on 19 May, 1966 while serving as a medical aidman attached to a rifle company on a search and destroy mission when elements of the company encountered intense Viet Cong fire from automatic weapons concealed in the thick jungle foliage. As injured Americans fell, he immediately moved through the withering enemy fire to give aid. Approaching one injured man, he observed that his injury was of a nature that the man could not be moved. Completely disregarding his own personal safety, he remained by the man's side, trying vainly to revive him. Specialist Quick, though wounded himself turned his attentions elsewhere, moving to other injured soldiers, giving aid and encouragement, and directing the evacuation of the wounded. Specialist Quick is credited with saving several lives during this action. This outstanding display of aggressiveness, devotion to duty, and personal bravery at the risk to his own life is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, the 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

*Quinn, Richard Floyd

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Richard Floyd Quinn, 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 Quinn distinguished himself while serving as a medical aidman during ground combat operations in Phuoc Long Province. Specialist Quinn's company had just departed its night defensive position and was advancing down a narrow jungle trail when the allied lead element contacted an enemy force of unknown size. several allied casualties were sustained in the initial fighting and Specialist Quinn immediately moved forward to treat the casualties. Ignoring the intense enemy fire that swept the area, he moved from one position to another to treat the wounded allies and assist them to positions of relative safety. When a series of incoming enemy rockets exploded to Specialist Quinn's front, he immediately went to the aid of two seriously wounded soldiers. Although exposed in a forward position, the specialist skillfully administered aid to his comrades. As he prepared to evacuate them to rear positions, he was mortally wounded by the hostile fire. Specialist Four Quinn'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. 4973 (October 29, 1970)
  

Radcliffe, Ronald A.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Ronald A. Radcliffe, 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 Troop F, 4th Cavalry, 1st Aviation Brigade. Captain Radcliffe distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 28 April 1972. 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. 10 (April 2, 1975)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William David Howsa Ragin, 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 the United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. Captain Ragin distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 20 August 1964. Captain Ragin was serving as an Advisor to a Ranger Battalion of the armed forces of the Republic of Vietnam when the friendly forces were suddenly ambushed by hostile elements. Undaunted by the extremely heavy gun fire, Captain Ragin completely disregarded his own personal safety, took a lead position, and encouraged the friendly forces to defend themselves. During the ensuring engagement in which the enemy gun fire was concentrated on his position, he demonstrated fortitude and perseverance by retaliating with the utmost accuracy and succeeded in annihilating a great number of enemy troops during a battle that lasted for 1 hour and 40 minutes. Despite overwhelming onslaught, he covered the withdrawal of the Rangers with outstanding effectiveness and continued his courageous efforts until mortally wounded. Captain Ragin's conspicuous gallantry and extraordinary heroic actions are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

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  Department of the Army, General Orders No. 2 (February 5, 1965)
  

*Ramirez, Lorenzo, Jr.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Lorenzo Ramirez, Jr., Private First Class, U.S. Army, for 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. Private First Class Ramirez distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 28 June 1968 as an assistant machine gunner during a combat mission near the Village of Binh An. As his company advanced toward well-entrenched North Vietnamese positions, it was hit by intense small arms fire and hand grenades. Suddenly a grenade landed a few feet away from Private Ramirez and two of his comrades. Disregarding his safety, he jumped up from his position beside the machine gun and knocked down a rifleman to his left. He then sprang to the right to push the machine gunner away, shielding the man with his body when the grenade detonated. Private Ramirez was mortally wounded by the blast. Private First Class Ramirez'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. 5359 (November 19, 1968)
  

Ramirez, Ramiro

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Ramiro Ramirez, First 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, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. First Sergeant Ramirez distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 5 October 1968 during a reconnaissance-in-force mission in a heavy jungle west of Lai Khe. The point element of his company suddenly received intense small arms, automatic weapons and rock-propelled grenade fire, causing several casualties. Exposing himself to the enemy barrage, Sergeant Ramirez made his way to one of the wounded men, carried him to a covered position and administered lifesaving first aid. While rescuing a second injured comrade, he was struck in the head by automatic weapons fire. Despite his pain, he continued to pull the man to the safety of a bomb crater and refused aid until all others had been treated. Receiving word that another man had been severely wounded, Sergeant Ramirez volunteered to rescue him and was hit in the arm and chest as he left the crater. Disregarding his own injuries, he reached the casualty and dragged him back to the protection of the shell crater where he again refused medical treatment until he finally lost consciousness. First Sergeant Ramirez’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. 706 (February 27, 1969)
  

*Randall, Michael Eugene, Sr.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Michael Eugene Randall, Sr., 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, 12th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Private First Class Randall distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 10 October 1968 while serving as a machine gunner during a reconnaissance-in-force mission. Private Randall's company came under heavy small arms and automatic weapons fire from a fortified Viet Cong base camp. His platoon was pinned down and his squad leader and point man lay wounded in an open field, entirely exposed to the enemy barrage. With complete disregard for his safety, he advanced through the communists cross fire to the front of the platoon and kept a steady fusillade on the enemy positions, allowing his comrades to evacuate the wounded men. Continuing his one-man assault, Private Randall concentrated his fire directly into the hostile bunker's gun port until another concealed enemy position opened fire, wounding him and damaging his machine gun. After returning to his platoon to secure a rifle, he advanced on the second Viet Cong fortification, killing the two occupants. Although suffering from his wounds, he took grenades from his ammunition pouches and ran across an open area toward an enemy machine gun position that had his platoon pinned down. As Private Randall was tossing a grenade into the enemy bunker, the Viet Cong opened fire and he was mortally wounded. Private First Class Randall'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. 409 (February 5, 1969)
  

Ranger, Michael B.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Michael B. Ranger, 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 assigned to Company E, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division during the period 4 to 6 March 1969. During this period, with eight men Captain (then First Lieutenant) Ranger engaged a massed enemy force and aborted their attack. Captain Ranger met the charge of the enemy and killed two of them with rifle fire, knocking out a machinegun position and carrying a wounded soldier back to the patrol base. While directing airstrikes, artillery, and gunships, he was wounded and blown into the air by an enemy mortar round which landed at his feet. Despite painful wounds in his leg and arm he refused medical attention and continued to control supporting fires and direct the actions of his platoon. In the early hours of 5 March an estimated North Vietnamese battalion launched an assault against the platoon. Under a rain of rockets and mortars Captain Ranger called in artillery rounds on his own position as the enemy force entered the perimeter. Captain Ranger killed two North Vietnamese soldiers in front of his position and three more on top of his bunker. The following day while the patrol base was receiving small arms and mortar fire, Captain Ranger killed four snipers in the trees and two North Vietnamese soldiers in bunkers while sustaining wounds to his arm. He then directed airstrikes and artillery into the remaining enemy while his troops were being extracted from the landing zone and refused to leave the ground until all of his men were aboard the helicopters. Captain Ranger's decisiveness, vigorous leadership, sound judgment, and personal bravery instilled courage and determination into his platoon, enabling them to hold off and destroy a superior enemy force. Captain Ranger's conspicuous gallantry and extraordinary heroism 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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  Department of the Army, General Orders No. 40 (July 22, 1970)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Howard F. Rankin, 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 Company C, 2d Battalion (Mechanized), 2d Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Staff Sergeant Rankin distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 December 1968 while serving as platoon sergeant during reconnaissance-in-force operations north of An Loc. Early in the morning soon after breaking camp, his company ran into intense automatic weapons and rocket- propelled grenade fire coming from a bamboo treeline approximately fifty meters from their position. Seated in the lead track, Sergeant Rankin was thrown from his vehicle along with the other occupants when a grenade exploded close by. Although he was wounded, he immediately manned the machine gun and leveled a strafing fusillade at the enemy. He then checked the condition of his men and insured their medical attention and evacuation. While a comrade applied a tourniquet to his profusely bleeding leg, he continued firing his machine gun until it malfunctioned. Seizing a grenade launcher, he delivered a barrage that killed seven enemy troops. Throughout the action, his only concern was that all wounded personnel be extracted safely and that the enemy be dispersed rapidly. When the foe had been routed and his platoon accounted for, he allowed himself to be medically treated. Staff Sergeant Rankin'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. 2073 (June 12, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John Edward Rarrick, Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company C, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Rarrick distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 2 April 1970 while serving with an infantry company airlifted into a dense jungle area in Tay Ninh Province. Soon after insertion, Specialist Rarrick's company engaged a battalion size enemy force entrenched and concealed in a thick hedgerow. Because of the intense enemy fire and the close proximity of the enemy positions, Specialist Rarrick and other members of his company found themselves immobilized. One of Specialist Rarrick's comrades noticed his predicament and attempted to come to his aid, but was seriously wounded. Without hesitation, Specialist Rarrick crawled to within fifteen meters of the closest enemy position to treat the wounded man. Specialist Rarrick treated his wounded comrade and then attempted to extract him to a safer position. Increased enemy fire directed toward the two individuals stopped their progress. Specialist Rarrick then maneuvered himself toward the enemy barrage so that he could shield his wounded comrade with his own body. While in this position, Specialist Rarrick was mortally wounded. Specialist Rarrick'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. 3187 (July 13, 1970)
  

Rasser, Gary V.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Gary V. Rasser, Second 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 Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Second Lieutenant Rasser distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 12 July 1967 while serving as platoon leader of an infantry company on a reinforcing mission deep in hostile territory. While moving through dense jungle to relieve a beleaguered friendly unit, his company was savagely attacked by an estimated North Vietnamese regiment. Completely disregarding his own safety, Lieutenant Rasser exposed himself to withering hostile fire to deploy his platoon and provide security for the rest of the company. The enemy directed a hail of mortar, rocket and recoilless rifle fire against his positions killing the company commander and inflicting numerous casualties on his men, but he immediately took command and moved into the open to direct air and artillery strikes on the furious hostile onslaught. Fighting fiercely, he directed deadly rifle fire on the advancing enemy until he ran out of ammunition. Grabbing the weapon of a fallen comrade, he dashed among his men to rally them against the determined Viet Cong. As the hostile soldiers moved closer, he secured a grenade launcher and fired deadly rounds into the enemy concentrations, heedless of the bullets and shrapnel flying all around him. The attackers concentrated their fire on him as he moved to a machine gun, but he inflicted numerous casualties with extremely accurate bursts. Unable to stop the overwhelming assault, he led his men in a fierce charge through the enemy lines to a safer position. Moving into a tight perimeter, his inspired men fought furiously to defeat the numerically superior force. His fearless leadership in the face of grave danger contributed greatly to the destruction of the enemy. Second Lieutenant Rasser'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. 5534 (October 31, 1967)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Raymond R. Rau, 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 221st Reconnaissance Airplane Company, 13th Combat Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Brigade. Captain Rau distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 June 1967 while serving as pilot of a reconnaissance airplane supporting Special Forces guerrilla operations in Vinh Binh Province near the South China Sea. The ground unit had split into small teams to move through dense mangrove swamps. One team was suddenly ambushed by a large Viet Cong force firing automatic weapons and small arms. Captain Rau called for medical evacuation helicopters and gunships and immediately dove his light plane toward the ambush site to locate enemy positions in the heavy undergrowth. Despite a hail of heavy automatic weapons fire directed at his aircraft, he began a series of rocket runs, firing his ordnance at the insurgents from treetop level. Debris from the resulting explosions raked his plane, but Captain Rau fearlessly continued to strike the enemy positions until his rockets were expended. Remaining over the battle site, he fired his automatic rifle from the window of the cockpit and directed gunship runs which suppressed the hostile fire while the unit's casualties were evacuated. After refueling and rearming his aircraft, he returned at dusk to again support the ground troops who had come under a fanatical attack by a numerically superior Viet Cong force. Braving a curtain of enemy fire, Captain Rau made repeated low level passes and placed devastating rocket fire on the insurgents. Out of ammunition, he directed mortar fire of nearby Navy patrol boats against the enemy. When the boats began receiving hostile fire from concealed enemy positions on the beach, he turned on his landing lights and dove through an intense barrage of automatic weapons fire at the Viet Cong. This action enabled the ships to pinpoint and destroy the enemy positions. Throughout the night, he directed medical evacuation helicopters to the beleaguered force and skillfully adjusted the supporting fires of friendly ships and aircraft on enemy positions. His gallant actions saved many fellow soldiers from almost certain destruction. Captain Rau'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. 1406 (March 28, 1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William David Ray, 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, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Private First Class Ray distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 27 November 1968 as a medic during a combat air assault in the vicinity of Tay Ninh. As Private Ray's company landed in knee-high grass in a flat, open area close to an enemy base camp, it came under intense machine gun, automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire from well-concealed bunkers in a nearby hedgerow. Despite the vicious enemy fire, Private Ray immediately left his covered position and crawled to his comrades who had been wounded. After treating several casualties, he began to call to the injured who were hidden by the tall grass to show their locations by shouting or firing smoke grenades. Although the movement of the grass indicated his position to the communists, he continued to render aid and encouragement, treating four more wounded men. While fearlessly exposing himself to care for his fellow soldiers, he was mortally wounded by the hostile fusillade. Private First Class Ray'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. 660 (February 25, 1969)
  

*Reeder, Philip Dallam

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Philip Dallam Reeder, 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 C, 1st Battalion (Airmobile), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade. Private Reeder distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 26 September 1968 while serving as an automatic rifleman with the 173d Airborne Brigade. His unit made contact and began receiving a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire from an estimated reinforced North Vietnamese Army company occupying well-fortified bunkers. As Private Reeder's squad deployed against the hostile positions, an enemy hand grenade landed among four of his comrades. With complete disregard for his safety, Private Reeder rushed through the withering hail of enemy fire toward it. As he dashed across the exposed area, he was wounded. Despite the injury he grasped the grenade and ran toward the hostile bunker in an attempt to hurl it back at the communist soldiers. As the grenade left his hand, it detonated, killing him instantly. His body shielded the men from the blast and shrapnel, saving them from injury or possible death. Private Reader'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.