Compiled and Edited By C. Douglas Sterner

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 4080 (August 23, 1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Charles E. Vernon, 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 Company A, 1st Battalion, 61st Infantry, 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized. Captain Vernon distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 4 September 1968 as commander of a mechanized company during a combat operation. Informed that one of his platoons on a flank security mission had been ambushed and was receiving heavy fire, Captain Vernon unhesitatingly moved with his headquarters section toward the battle area. As they neared the beleaguered element, they were also ambushed. His track was hit by an enemy rocket, which seriously wounded him and killed or injured the entire crew. Despite his injuries he directed his driver to move the crippled track toward the enemy positions. They were again hit by an enemy rocket which completely disabled the vehicle and wounded him again. Although in great pain and exposed to the hostile barrage, he continued to place effective fire on communist troops who attempted to assault his damaged vehicle. While fighting off the aggressors, he reorganized his company into a perimeter and directed the evacuation of casualties. Captain Vernon remained in command and maintained complete control of his unit until his wounds caused him to lose consciousness and he was evacuated. Captain Vernon'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. 129 (January 11, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John William Vessey, Lieutenant Colonel (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 2d Battalion, 77th Artillery, 3d Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. Lieutenant Colonel Vessey distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 March 1967 while serving as a Battalion Commander during a combat mission near Suoi Tre. During the early morning hours, Colonel Vessey's battalion received a massive assault by a Viet Cong regiment. Although more than 200 mortar rounds fell, Colonel Vessey fearlessly moved through his unit area, first to alert his men, then to direct various phases of the defense. When vital howitzer positions were destroyed by hostile fire, he rallied men from other sections to man the guns, and he himself assisted as a cannoneer. He was wounded during this action, but continued to lead and fire the artillery pieces. At one point, he spotted Viet Cong rocket launchers that were placing devastating fire into the battery perimeter. He seized a grenade launcher, moved into an open area and knocked out three of the insurgents' weapons. When an enemy tracer round ignited a drum of diesel oil and threatened to set off two drums of explosives nearby, Colonel Vessey ran to that highly dangerous point and helped move the drums to safety. His professional command and courageous fighting throughout the battle were instrumental in turning back the numerically superior enemy force and killing more than 600 Viet Cong. Lieutenant Colonel Vessey'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. 4206 (August 18, 1967)
  

Home Town: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Viau, Wallace E.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Wallace E. Viau, Captain (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving an opposing armed force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company B, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, on 8 March 1965. As a Senior Advisor serving with the United States Army Special Forces at Camp Kannack in the southern area of the Republic of Vietnam, Captain Viau demonstrated fortitude and determination when the Camp was attacked during the night by a fanatical and numerically superior hostile force with a tactical advantage. With complete disregard for his own safety, he repeatedly exposed himself to intense small arms fire and heavy bombardment by moving from bunker to bunker to insure that they were manned, to aid and encourage the defenders, and to direct the defense operations. At the height of the battle, he bravely and unhesitatingly crossed sixty yards of open terrain under heavy enemy fire to administer first aid to a critically wounded American serviceman. Upon learning that an outpost had fallen he again exposed himself to the Viet Cong gunfire and succeeded in reaching a precarious position in close proximity of the enemy. From this dangerous position, he directed mortar and other weapons fire, disrupting enemy attacks from that direction. He then organized and led a counterattack against stubborn resistance which resulted in the recapturing of the outpost and destroying the enemy who held the position. When the long awaited daylight brought defeat to the enemy, he personally led a combat patrol against the withdrawing Viet Cong which was highly effective in annihilating more of the enemy. Throughout the violent battle that lasted approximately eight hour, he displayed indomitable courage and professional skill which inspired the defenders and contributed to the successful defense of the Camp and to the repelling of the insurgent forces. Captain Viau'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 Armed Forces of his country.

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  Department of the Army, General Orders No. 5 (February 23, 1966)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Roger Lee Vickers, 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 C, 5th Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Vickers distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 25 January 1969 while commanding a company during a reconnaissance-in-force mission in the Plain of Reeds, Thu Thua Province. As his unit was crossing an open area, it was engaged by an enemy force occupying well fortified bunkers in a nearby woodline. Spotting three wounded men who lay exposed to the hostile fire, Lieutenant Vickers unhesitatingly advanced through the hail of bullets to rescue the casualties and succeeded in carrying them to the safety of a dike. He then returned to the front of his company and began directing his troops toward the bunkers. Braving the enemy fusillade, he moved from position to position with a grenade launcher and placed accurate fire on the aggressors. After tossing smoke grenades to mark the hostile strongholds and directing air strikes, Lieutenant Vickers led an assault on the now disorganized communists. Shortly before the enemy withdrew, he was mortally wounded by hostile fire. First Lieutenant Vickers' 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. 1532 (April 30, 1969)
  

Villanueva, David O.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to David O. Villanueva, 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, 18th Infantry, 2d Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. Specialist Four Villanueva distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 7 February 1968 during a reconnaissance-in-force operation near Ben Cat. His unit engaged a well entrenched and numerically superior enemy force. During the initial minutes of the fight, the heavy volume of enemy fire caused numerous casualties. With complete disregard for his safety, Specialist Villanueva charged forward, braving a murderous hail of bullets to obtain a good firing position. Although completely exposed to the fierce barrage, he delivered deadly fire on the enemy from a tactically advantageous location. During the battle, four grenades were thrown into his position. Each time he courageously picked up the armed explosive and hurled it back, finally killing the two insurgents who had thrown them. When the machine gun he was firing became inoperative, he ran back to his unit's perimeter to obtain another weapon. He then returned to his position with a grenade launcher and continued to silence enemy fortifications with extremely accurate fire. After expending all his ammunition, he picked up an automatic rifle and charged the Viet Cong emplacements, eliminating them with a devastating hail of fire. His courageous actions inspired his comrades to press the attack and completely rout the insurgents. Specialist Four Villanueva'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. 3690 (August 1, 1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Paul Herman Villarosa, 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 Command and Control (North) FOB 4 (Marble Mountain), 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Sergeant First Class Villarosa distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 4 January 1968. 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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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 541 (February 6, 1968)
  

Villarreal, Raul

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Raul Villarreal, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with 70th Engineer Company, 937th Engineer Group, 18th Engineer Brigade, Engineer Troops Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Villarreal distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 13 March 1968 while second in command of a convoy traveling from Pleiku to Kontum. Two companies of North Vietnamese regulars ambushed the convoy with small arms, automatic weapons, recoilless rifles, rockets and mortars, killing the platoon leader. Sergeant Villarreal immediately assumed command, directed heavy and accurate return fire on the enemy, and skillfully guided the first two vehicles out of the danger area. Sergeant Villarreal was wounded when his weapon was struck by automatic weapons fire. Although momentarily dazed, he took one driver's weapon and continued to return the enemy fire while he led wounded personnel to an area of security for treatment, Vietnamese soldiers in the area with armored personnel carriers were unaware of the exact enemy situation. Sergeant Villarreal persuaded the unit to attack the enemy force. He led the six personnel carriers to six different enemy strong points and joined in the assault of these positions. He was wounded a second time when the personnel carrier he was fighting beside was struck by rocket fire. He continued to refuse medical attention until the enemy force was driven off, remaining until late in the day to insure that both his men and vehicles were evacuated from the ambush site. His fearless actions resulted in heavy losses to the enemy force and saved the lives of many fellow soldiers. Staff Sergeant Villarreal’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. 3019 (June 23, 1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Gonzalo H. Villasenor, 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 (Mechanized), 5th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Villasenor distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 11 April 1969 while serving as a rifleman with a platoon operating in Hau Nghia Province. His platoon was carrying out an intelligence mission when the lead man detected an enemy ambush in time to warm his comrades. A fire fight erupted, and the hostile forces were routed. Wishing to maintain contact with the fleeing enemy, the platoon pressed forward. On entering a wooded area, the friendly element came under an enfilade from automatic weapons, rifle grenades and mortars. Identifying a source of enemy fire to the left flank, Specialist Villasenor began moving toward the emplacement. Although he was struck in the leg by hostile fire, he continued advancing, crawling toward the bunker, alternately firing his rifle and tossing grenades. Just as he succeeded in silencing his target, he came under intense fire from another enemy fortification. Despite being wounded a second time, he bravely retaliated with a hail of rifle fire. Continuing forward he received a fatal wound to the head ending his brave advance. Specialist Four Villasenor’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. 2024 (1969)
  

*Vinassa, Michael G.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Michael G. Vinassa, 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 Vinassa was serving as a Grenadier in the 3d Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), on a search and destroy operation in Binh Dinh Province. About 1500 hours on 21 May 1966, Company C was engaged by a large Viet Cong force that halted their advancement. The 3d Platoon was then given the mission of moving through the intense hostile fire to reinforce the right flank of Company C. A machine gun caused the 2d Squad to be pinned down. Specialist Vinassa started moving u the left draw delivering supporting fire that caused the 2d Squad to be pinned down. Specialist Vinassa started moving up the left draw delivering supporting fire that caused several of the insurgents to be killed. As the squad continued up the hill, several friendly defenders were wounded, however, Specialist Vinassa encouraged his comrades to follow him as he pressed forward. As they came in close to the Viet Cong positions, the insurgents began throwing grenades, at which time Specialist Vinassa had managed to crawl within ten meters of the machine gun position. As the machine gun poured deadly fire at the remaining members of the squad, Specialist Vinassa, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, charged through the open ten meters and threw a grenade at the emplacement destroying the gun and its crew. Just before the grenade went off, Specialist Vinassa was mortally wounded. His valor made it possible for the rest of the company to continue up the hill. Specialist Vinassa'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, Pacific, General Orders No. 230 (September 22, 1966)
  

Voiles, Lanny

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Lanny Voiles, 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, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Sergeant Voiles distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 12 April 1969 while serving as acting platoon sergeant during a nighttime ambush mission. While advancing, his unit suddenly encountered a barrage of hostile cross-fire from rifles, automatic weapons and claymore mines. During the initial assault, the platoon leader was disabled and Sergeant Voiles immediately assumed command of the pinned-down element. As he maneuvered forward to an observation position, he noticed that the radio-telephone operator had been downed by enemy rounds. He braved the fusillade to retrieve the injured man and then organized the safe withdrawal of the wounded platoon leader. Hearing that the platoon medic was lying wounded near an empty bunker, he moved through the bullet-swept area, placing accurate small arms and grenade fire on the aggressors. As he aided the wounded medic, he shielded him from the devastating wall of enemy fire until relief came and evacuation was effected. Sergeant Voiles' 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. 2248 (June 25, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John Delane Volner, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Private First Class Volner distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions during the period 15 February 1967 to 17 February 1967 while serving as radio-telephone operator with an infantry unit during combat operations in Kontum Province. After learning that lead elements of his force were pinned down by intense cross fire from hostile emplacements, Private Volner unhesitatingly volunteered to move to their position to keep the company commander informed of developments in that sector. When these men were able to withdraw to higher ground, Private Volner received notice that another platoon was about to be overrun. Unflinching under the hail of fire that raked the area, he threaded his way into the pinned platoon. With a clearheaded account of enemy movements, he enabled the company commander to effectively maneuver his forces. On the evening of 17 February, Private Volner detected movement outside his unit's perimeter. His alertness prompted the company commander to call for artillery fire. While he was radioing information to the command post, Private Volner heard artillery rounds coming in on his own position. Heedless of his own safety, he grabbed a comrade moments before a round struck, pulled him to the bottom of the foxhole, and threw his own body on top of him to shield him from the blast. Private Volner was fatally wounded in this selfless and courageous sacrifice to save his comrade. Private First Class Volner'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. 1730 (April 15, 1967)
  

*Wagner, Grey H.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Grey H. Wagner, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Wagner distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 10 January 1968 while serving as a squad leader of the 2d Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry, 2d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. On this date his unit's forward base camp came under heavy attack from an unknown size enemy force. Sergeant Wagner was commanding a machine gun position which stood in the center of the insurgents' main line of advance and became the focal point of hostile rocket and automatic weapons fire. During the enemy's first assault, the positions on both sides of Sergeant Wagner were overrun. He held fast and rallied his men to lay down a heavy barrage of fire which momentarily halted the attack and enabled the other squads of his platoon to move into a secondary defensive perimeter. He then directed the troops with him to withdraw to a new position while he provided covering fire for their movement. Although painfully wounded during the first enemy assault, he courageously remained at his post in the face of a second devastating charge, firing into the attackers' ranks until he was mortally wounded. His heroic actions contributed greatly to the eventual defeat of a fanatical enemy force. Sergeant Wagner'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. 2850 (June 13, 1969)
  

Wagner, Louis C.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Louis C. Wagner, 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 Advisory Team 4, United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. Lieutenant Colonel Wagner distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions during the period 29 April to 2 May 1972 while serving as Senior Advisor, 1st Armor Brigade, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. The 1st Armor Brigade was ordered to protect Quang Tri City, at all cost, against three North Vietnamese Divisions supported by two regiments of tanks. As the enemy overwhelmed and shattered the brigade, Colonel Wagner's calm and exemplary gallantry and courage became a rallying symbol to the demoralized soldiers. Disregarding his own personal safety, Colonel Wagner maintained his position at the point of severest contact and was injured when his command personnel carrier was forced to cross a bridge destroyed by enemy artillery. Refusing aid, he assisted in evacuation of his counterpart who had been wounded. When the brigade was given the mission of breaking the North Vietnamese stranglehold on the supply route to the defenders of Quang Tri, Colonel Wagner, his injury still untreated, exposed himself continuously to enemy machine gun and antitank rocket fire while directing air strikes. As the brigade's position became less tenable and the North Vietnamese forces encircled it, Colonel Wagner's daring courage and calm leadership became the guiding force that enabled the South Vietnamese to extricate themselves without crippling losses. Although knowing that large elements of four North Vietnamese Divisions would isolate his position, Colonel Wagner elected to remain with his counterpart and attempt a breakthrough. As they received devastating enemy artillery and a two-sided enemy tank attack, Lieutenant Colonel Wagner led the brigade in a penetration of the enemy encirclement to friendly lines. Lieutenant Colonel Wagner's calm and fearless (REMINDER OF CITATION MISSING).