Compiled and Edited By C. Douglas Sterner

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 5750 (December 17, 1968)
  

*Rees, Richard Morgan

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Richard Morgan Rees, 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 Field Team 6, Control Team B, Headquarters, Joint Casualty Resolution Center. Captain Rees distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 15 December 1973. 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. 24 (December 2, 1975)
  

Reeves, Thomas M.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Thomas M. Reeves, Captain (Transportation Corps), 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 170th Assault Helicopter Company, 52d Combat Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Brigade. Captain Reeves distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 and 22 March 1967 as a helicopter pilot supporting ground forces during a pitched battle with the enemy in Kontum Province. When the fight began, he volunteered to fly the ground unit's operations officer into the battle site. Despite intense enemy machine gun and automatic weapons fire, he delivered the officer, enabling the battalion command group to quickly assume control of a difficult situation on the ground. Soon after, he volunteered to fly reinforcements to a company which was heavily engaged with the enemy. Captain Reeves deftly maneuvered his aircraft into the tiny landing zone, overcoming dense foliage, limited visibility, and intense enemy fire to safely deliver the badly needed replacements. The battle continued, and he made repeated trips into the area to provide the infantry with critically needed ammunition, medical personnel and supplies. Captain Reeves then acted as an aerial radio relay for four ground companies, continually flying at low level through a friendly and enemy crossfire. He also made repeated trips into the area to land and pick up critically wounded men who required immediate evacuation. During the course of these evacuations, the enemy unleashed intense mortar attacks on his stationary craft. Captain Reeves flew to an altitude where he could observe the location of the mortar position, and then directed a helicopter gunship in an attack on it. The weapon was silenced and the evacuation was successfully completed. Captain Reeves' 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. 4125 (August 26, 1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John E. Reinburg, III, Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 18 June 1965, while serving with Detachment A, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. The 883d Regional Force Company, Army of the Republic of Vietnam, and four American advisors were returning from a successful predawn combat mission when they were attacked by a superior Viet Cong force. Barely escaping total annihilation, the company began to move onto high ground. By this time two of the American advisors had been critically wounded and the company as desperately short of ammunition. At this moment Sergeant Reinburg arrived at the battle zone in an armed helicopter, bringing with him the much-needed ammunition. After distributing ammunition to two of the platoons, Sergeant Reinburg reorganized them and deployed them in a position to give covering fire to elements of the company still exposed on the forward slope of the hill. He accomplished these tasks with efficiency and at great personal risk, exposing himself many times to the withering fire of the pursuing Viet Cong forces. In response to sniper fire the company was receiving on the left rear flank, Sergeant Reinburg took a squad of Regional Force troops and flushed out the snipers. While still under enemy fire, he returned to the main position, bodily carrying one wounded soldier and assisting another, less seriously wounded. During this period Sergeant Reinburg was seriously wounded, but refused first aid and medical evacuation until the troops were cared for. Ignoring his wounds Sergeant Reinburg continued directing friendly fire. Observing an American advisor lying in an exposed position, he again braved the harrowing Viet Cong fire and crossed the open terrain to assist in moving his comrade to safety. Sergeant Reinburg then located an enemy automatic weapon whose accurate fire was seriously suppressing friendly fire. Disregarding the continuing pain from his wounds, he secured a Regional Force's machinegun and proceeded to deploy it, crossing some 75 meters of terrain under extremely heavy enemy fire. He was critically wounded while accomplishing this task. Though knocked to the ground, he still attempted to crawl and drag the machinegun into position until he became unconscious. The Regional Force gun crew, inspired by Sergeant Reinburg's heroic example, overtook him and dragged him to safety and proceeded to deliver successful fire on the enemy weapon emplacement. His actions on this occasion presented a sterling example of the highest standard of professional dedication, performance and extraordinary heroism. Sergeant Reinburg's outstanding leadership and heroic 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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  Department of the Army, General Orders No. 50 (September 8, 1970)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Clyde Alvin Reiter, 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-431, Company D, 5th Special Forces (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Sergeant Reiter distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 28 December 1968 while serving as an advisor to a Vietnamese patrol on a mission to destroy two enemy bunkers. As Sergeant Reiter and the demolition team were preparing to demolish the first fortification, they came under intense automatic weapons fire. Exposing himself to the fusillade, Sergeant Reiter placed effective counter fire on the communists which allowed his comrades to reach the safety of the bunker. When he saw that the other American advisor needed help in rescuing two men who had been wounded by the initial burst of hostile fire, he maneuvered to the aid of his fallen comrades. After administering first aid, he began to carry one man to the rear while shielding him from the aggressors with his own body, and was mortally wounded by a burst of enemy automatic weapons fire. Sergeant Reiter'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. 732 (March 3, 1969)
  

*Renteria, Rudolph Sotelo

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Rudolph Sotelo Renteria, 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, 16th Infantry, 2d Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. Specialist Four Renteria distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 27 August 1968 while serving as a squad leader of an infantry company in the district of Phu Giao, Binh Duong Province. His company attacked a North Vietnamese Army company, and received hand grenade, automatic weapons, small arms and anti-tank rocket fire. One of the grenades landed near him and his men, and Specialist Renteria immediately shouted a warning to them. Although wounded when the grenade exploded, he ignored his injury and continued to fire his rifle and throw hand grenades at the North Vietnamese. Another hostile grenade landed next to a wounded comrade. With complete disregard for his safety, Specialist Renteria attempted to reach it to hurl it away from the stricken man. Before he could accomplish this the grenade detonated, killing him instantly. Specialist Four Renteria'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. 5330 (November 17, 1968)
  

*Reyes, Tomas Garcia

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Tomas Garcia Reyes, 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 A, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. Staff Sergeant Reyes distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 9 November 1967 while serving as a squad leader of an infantry company on a search and destroy mission near An Tay. The company had moved to a small area of high ground, and Sergeant Reyes' platoon was directed to cross an open rice paddy and secure the hedgerow on the far side. As his squad reached a position ten feet from the hedgerow, intense enemy automatic weapons and small arms fire erupted from well-concealed bunkers to the front and flanks. Sergeant Reyes immediately directed his troops to return fire on the hostile forces. Moving from position to position, he fired his weapon and threw grenades at the enemy. He then crawled forward through the withering fusillade to within two feet of a bunker (GAP IN CITATION) he destroyed a second enemy emplacement. He was mortally wounded while courageously placing the welfare of his fellow soldiers above his own. Staff Sergeant Reyes' 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. 1150 (March 16, 1968)
  

*Rhodes, Donald Ray

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Donald Ray Rhodes, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 2d Battalion, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Sergeant Rhodes distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 27 February 1969 while serving as a squad leader during a combat operation. When his squad became scattered and pinned down by enemy automatic weapons fire, he began advancing toward the hostile emplacement to attract enemy fire, enabling his men to move to secure positions. Determined to silence the position, he rose to throw a grenade and was struck to the ground by enemy fire. He nevertheless resumed his advance on the entrenchment until he was fatally wounded by a burst of automatic weapons fire. Sergeant Rhodes' 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. 3271 (August 23, 1969)
  

Rice, Robert C.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Robert C. Rice, 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 Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 39th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division. Major Rice distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 11 April 1968 while serving as operations officer of an infantry battalion during an air assault against elements of a reinforced enemy main force battalion in Binh Hung Province. As the friendly battalion and brigade command groups were moving forward to direct the final assault on an enemy bunker complex in the woodline near their landing zone, they came under intense machine gun fire from a concealed enemy position. Major Rice immediately moved out in advance of the command groups and located the enemy position. He called in and directed accurate artillery fire and air strikes upon it, but the emplacement was so well fortified it survived the bombardment. Darkness was rapidly approaching and the enemy position posed a serious threat to the command groups' extraction. Major Rice decided to assault the bunker. After arranging for covering fire, he rushed approximately two hundred meters across an open field, maneuvered to the rear of the bunker and threw a grenade into the enemy position, killing its occupants and silencing their fire. As his battalion prepared for extraction, three men were discovered to be missing. Major Rice quickly gathered some volunteers to search for them. Braving intense mortar and small arms fire, he located the men and brought them to safety. Major Rice'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. 3825 (August 7, 1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to David F. Rich, Captain (Field Artillery), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Battery B, 2d Battalion, 319th Artillery, 101st Airborne Division (Airborne). Captain Rich distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while commanding an allied artillery base while subjected to a prolonged enemy attack during the period 5 July 1970 through 17 July 1970. Throughout this period, the fire support base was battered by an intense barrage of enemy rocket, mortar, and recoilless rifle fire. Exposing himself to each enemy attack, Captain Rich skillfully examined the craters left by each incoming enemy round to approximate the enemy location from which it was fired and then directed his men to pound the position with a barrage of artillery fire. Although wounded on seven different occasions, the captain continuously pinpointed enemy positions to his men and assured that all the wounded received medical treatment before himself. During an intense barrage of enemy mortar fire on the final day of the attack, Captain Rich left the relative security of his command post and conducted accurate crater analysis amid the hail of enemy shrapnel. Although painfully wounded in the leg, arm, chest, and eye, he refused to relinquish the command of his battery and continued to direct the defensive fire of his men. Inspired by his tireless and determined efforts, Captain Rich's men bitterly resisted the enemy force while maintaining a high level of fighting spirit throughout the ordeal. Captain Rich'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. 5096 (November 19, 1970)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Roy Lee Richardson, 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, 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. First Lieutenant Richardson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 9 May 1970 while leading a platoon in search of suspected enemy positions near an allied fire support base. As the platoon advanced through the area of operations, they were suddenly ambushed by a well-concealed enemy force utilizing hand and rocket-propelled grenades. Lieutenant Richardson immediately began moving through the enemy fire to deploy his men into defensive positions and direct aerial rocket artillery on the hostile force. As the enemy fire intensified, the lieutenant moved forward to rescue a critically wounded comrade. Although under constant enemy attack, Lieutenant Richardson continuously maneuvered through the fusillade to place suppressive fire on the enemy while inspiring his men to sustain their defensive efforts. As the contact continued at an intense level, Lieutenant Richardson was mortally wounded by the hostile fire. First Lieutenant Richardson'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. 4826 (October 14, 1970)
  

Richardson, William R.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William R. Richardson, Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 2d Battalion (Mechanized), 22d Infantry, 3d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Richardson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 15 January 1968 as squad leader of a mechanized infantry unit on combat operations in Tay Ninh Province. His unit was attacking an enemy battalion base camp in dense jungle terrain when he detected three fortified bunkers in a clearing to his front. Seeing a North Vietnamese soldier aiming a rocket-propelled grenade at his advancing troops, Specialist Richardson yelled at his men to take cover and killed the insurgent with deadly rifle fire. He charged an enemy bunker and hit the ground at the entrance just as automatic weapons fire erupted from the firing ports. He quickly delivered a burst of fire into the bunker, killing one enemy soldier. Fearlessly assaulting the hostile position, he leaped into the bunker and captured a prisoner after a fierce hand-to-hand struggle. As he moved from the position, the enemy soldier attempted to escape into the jungle. Reacting quickly, he knocked the insurgent to the ground with his rifle, recaptured him and led him to an interrogation point where he gained much valuable intelligence information. His fearless actions in the heat of battle were instrumental in the defeat of the determined enemy forces. Specialist Four Richardson'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. 2734 (June 7, 1968) and 4013 (1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William M. Rickman, Jr., Chief Warrant Officer (W-2), 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 170th Assault Helicopter Company, 52d Aviation Battalion, 17th Combat Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade. Chief Warrant Officer Rickman distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 1 December 1968 as commander of an armed helicopter providing support for a scout reconnaissance team inserted deep into an area of known enemy activity. A troop carrying helicopter was struck by hostile 37 millimeter weapons fire and was forced to land within range of the communist gunners. Leading his team of armed gun ships to the site, Mister Rickman flew at an extremely low speed to locate the helicopter through the tall trees and dense foliage. After spotting the craft and making its position known to the rescue ship, his helicopter became the target of intense enemy fire. He immediately established an orbit to provide close cover for the rescue effort. While he was coordinating his team, directing the rescue ship and firing numerous rockets at the enemy, his aircraft was riddled by a hostile barrage which wounded him in the leg. Disregarding his safety, Mister Rickman continued to place suppressive fire until the downed crew was extracted. His team headed back to its staging area, but a call for help was monitored from a Cobra helicopter shot down in the center of known enemy positions. Although almost out of ammunition and low on fuel, Mister Rickman returned with his team to provide suppressive fire until the crew was successfully extracted. With his rocket supply expended and mini-guns knocked out by enemy fire, he next returned to cover the pickup of the scout team which was amid heavy enemy movement and sporadic sniper fire. Attempting to make the communists believe that he was armed, he flew low-level between two enemy-entrenched ridge lines with only door mounted machine guns to give covering fire. When his aircraft came under machine gun fire as the extraction was being completed, he returned the fire and directed his door gunner to mark the area with smoke for tactical air strikes. Chief Warrant Officer Rickman'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. 1233 (April 8, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Archie A. Rider, 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 Troop A, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Major Rider distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 3 December 1967 as a troop commander near Duc Pho. Major Rider was directing aerial reconnaissance and insertion of his infantry platoon when contact was made with a large enemy force. Although seriously wounded in the initial exchange of fire, he refused to depart the area and had his aircraft deliver suppressive fire on the aggressors which enabled his infantrymen to reach cover. Although he was a vulnerable target for the enemy automatic weapons fire, he maneuvered his ship into point-blank range and attacked two hostile positions, killing several communists and disorganizing the others. After his men had completed the destruction of the two strongholds, Major Rider led the assault on the main enemy force. Despite his injuries, he skillfully coordinated with a support unit which was mounting an airmobile assault, called in artillery and air strikes and directed the movements of his troop. Once arrangements had been made for extraction of his unit, he allowed himself to be evacuated, passing out from loss of blood on the way to the aid station. Major Rider'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.