partment of the Army, General Orders No. 6 (March 19, 1976)

• 
  Department of the Army, General Orders No. 6 (March 19, 1976)
  

Home Town: Gaston, Oregon

*Walsh, David William

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to David William Walsh, Captain (Infantry), 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 Company A, 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry, 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. Captain Walsh distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 10 June 1969 while serving as the commander of combat operations near the village of Phuoc Loc in Quang Ngai Province. He was directing his company into a blocking position when a North Vietnamese force armed with machine guns, grenades, and small arms attacked and pinned down the unit. Captain Walsh immediately organized a reaction force to engage the flanking ambush positions. As his small element began to close in, automatic rifle fire burst from a concealed emplacement. Captain Walsh single-handedly charged the position killing the enemy soldier and capturing his weapon. As he led his group forward, he encountered hostile fire and quickly shot the enemy soldier. When a third sniper opened fire on the group, Captain Walsh once more rushed forward to eliminate the hostile trooper. While engaging the third sniper he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. Captain Walsh'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.

• 
  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3238 (August 18, 1969)
  

Wanat, George K., Jr.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to George K. Wanat, Jr., 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 Advisory Team 47, United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. Captain Wanat distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions during the period 5 to 8 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.

• 
  Department of the Army, General Orders No. 2 (February 3, 1976)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Richard D. Wandke, 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 C, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Captain Wandke distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 27 May 1969 while commanding his company on a search and destroy mission southwest of Landing Zone Mary Lou. When one of the rifle squads surprised seven enemy soldiers and opened fire, Captain Wandke immediately deployed the remainder of the unit to assist. Hostile reinforcements meanwhile had arrived in huge numbers and began to place tremendous firepower on the company’s perimeter. Despite the devastating artillery fire directed on the enemy positions, Captain Wandke’s unit sustained heavy casualties. As soon as Captain Wandke rallied his men to force the enemy to break off their assault temporarily, he directed every man who was able to withdraw from the area to establish a landing zone for evacuating the wounded. Although wounded himself, Captain Wandke alone stayed behind to protect the dead and critically wounded. For three harrowing hours he directed artillery fire on hostile emplacements and with his individual weapon prevented the enemy from overrunning his position. Captain Wandke’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.

• 
  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 4316 (December 1, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Tom Ward, Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving an opposing force in the Republic of Vietnam on 20 August 1964. Sergeant Ward was serving as a Light Weapons Infantry Advisor to a Ranger Battalion of the armed forces of the Republic of Vietnam when the friendly units were suddenly ambushed by hostile elements. Undaunted by the extremely heavy gunfire, Sergeant Ward completely disregarded his own personal safety by assuming an exposed position to repel the enemy. When the enemy launched several vicious assaults during a violent battle that lasted one hour and forty minutes, he remained in his exposed position and succeeded in annihilating a great number of enemy troops. Instead of taking cover after sustaining a severe wound, he voluntarily proceeded to the location of the Battalion Advisor to support the defense operation. Then, when the intense enemy gunfire was concentrated on this position, he unhesitatingly placed himself in a dangerous position to assist the Battalion Advisor in the operation of a machinegun that allowed the remaining Rangers to withdraw. Despite the overwhelming onslaught, he covered the withdrawal of the friendly troops with outstanding effectiveness and continued his courageous efforts until he succumbed to mortal wounds. Sergeant Ward'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 military service.

• 
  Department of the Army, General Orders No. 8 (March 9, 1965)
  

Ward, William H.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William H. Ward, 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 Mobile Advisory Team 62, Delta Military Assistance Command, United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. Sergeant First Class Ward distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 August 1969 while serving as a medical advisor at Cai Doi Outpost in Kien Tuong Province during an attack by an estimated three-company enemy force. At the onset of the attack, the enemy 107-millimeter rocket hit the team house where Sergeant Ward and other members of the advisory team were sleeping. The rocket killed one member and seriously wounded the other four occupants. Sergeant Ward was seriously wounded, but upon regaining consciousness, he dragged one of his unconscious comrades away from the burning team house where grenades, flares and other ammunition were exploding. Refusing first aid for himself, Sergeant Ward immediately began to administer first aid to the other wounded team members. Realizing that he could no longer work in his present condition, he allowed his burnt hands and numerous other wounds to be bandaged. After receiving first aid, Sergeant Ward exposed himself to intense enemy fire while climbing the outpost's watch tower. From this vantage point he called in and coordinated friendly mortar, artillery and gunship fire and requested evacuation boats for the wounded. Upon their arrival, he again exposed himself to intense enemy fire in order to direct and assist the movement of the men to the boats. Refusing to have his own wounds examined, Sergeant Ward insisted that all efforts be directed to his comrades. He aided and directed frantic efforts to save the life of the senior advisor through the use of heart massage and resuscitation. Sergeant First Class Ward's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit and the U.S. Army.

• 
  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1588 (June 3, 1970)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Keith Lincoln Ware, Major General, 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 Infantry Division. Major General Ware distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 12 and 13 September 1968 as the Commanding General of the 1st Infantry Division during an operation in the vicinity of Loc Ninh. Elements of the division became heavily engaged with a reinforced North Vietnamese regiment. Although he knew the enemy was utilizing anti-aircraft weapons in the area, General Ware repeatedly directed his helicopter commander to fly at a minimum altitude so he could more effectively direct and coordinate his infantry units' fierce fight. On numerous occasions his ship received fire from the communists' anti-aircraft emplacements, but General Ware continued his low level flights, which gave him maximum control of his troops and the best observation of the North Vietnamese deployment. He was killed when the enemy fusillade directed at his craft hit the ship, causing it to crash and burn. General Ware's personal courage and leadership inspired his beleaguered men to ultimately gain a total victory over the aggressors. Major General Ware'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.

• 
  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 4958 (October 25, 1968)
  

Home Town: Glendale, California

Warren, Thomas E.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Thomas E. Warren, 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 A, 3d Battalion, 187th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). Sergeant First Class Warren distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 5 and 6 September 1968 while participating in a reconnaissance-in-force mission against the village of Ap Trang Dau near Trang Bang. Intelligence reports had indicated that the village was a haven for two battalions of North Vietnamese regulars. Having overcome fierce sniper resistance as they encircled the town, the friendly force settled into defensive positions to wait out the night. In the early morning hours of 6 September, the enemy initiated a crazed attempt to break from the allied snare while darkness hung over the village. Supported by a curtain of mortar and rocket-propelled grenade fire, the hostile troops rushed from the village in screaming waves. Sergeant Warren was coordinating defensive fire when he noticed that several of his men holding a position some seventy-five meters on the left flank were outnumbered and in danger of being overrun. He started moving toward the isolated soldiers through massive barrages of enemy fire. Although suffering fragmentation wounds in his advance, he began hurling grenades and firing his weapon in an effort to draw the enemy's fire on himself as his men maneuvered back to the main force. When they had safely arrived he again harrowed the full force of hostile firepower in a wild dash back across the bullet-raked battlefield, sustaining additional wounds in the maneuver. Sergeant Warren then regrouped his troops and redistributed ammunition, encouraging his weary comrades as he moved among them. When the beaten enemy broke contact and fled, he administered first aid to the injured and personally took charge of the helicopter extraction of the dead and seriously wounded. Weak and nearly exhausted, he stood in the open rice paddy, harassed by sniper fire, and guided in evacuation helicopters with a strobe light. Sergeant First Class Warren'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.

• 
  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3904 (1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Joseph Wasco, Jr., Lieutenant Colonel (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 (Airborne), 327th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Lieutenant Colonel Wasco distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions from 19 to 22 June 1966 while serving as a commanding officer during a search and destroy mission near Trung Luong. Throughout the four-day battle, Lieutenant Colonel Wasco repeatedly exposed himself to intense hostile fire both in the air and on the ground when he moved by helicopter to the most critical sectors of the battle area. During one night he remained with his most heavily engaged company and, despite intense mortar and automatic weapons fire, visited each of the positions within the perimeter, directed the defense and exerted a steadying influence on his young troopers. He also participated in a daytime counterattack against heavily fortified positions. Later, during a large ground assault, Lieutenant Colonel Wasco directed his pilot to fly low over the engagement so that he could clearly observe the course of the battle. During these low level observation flights his craft was often the target of concentrated fire. Later, he again spent the night in the most critical sector of the battle, directed the defense and encouraged his men. His presence at the critical sectors on the field of battle inspired the members of his command to repulse the most savage assaults by the Viet Cong. Lieutenant Colonel Wasco's extraordinary bravery 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.

• 
  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 6797 (December 13, 1966)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Johnny Lee Washington, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in Vietnam during the period 7 - 11 November 1967. Staff Sergeant Washington was then a platoon sergeant with Company D, 3rd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. On these dates, the entire Battalion was engaged in fierce fighting with large forces of North Vietnamese Army Regulars in the rugged Central highlands of Vietnam near the city of Dak To. There were many casualties and the men at the bunkers were in great need of a resupply of ammunition. During the fighting, with enemy mortars, rockets, and small arms fire raging in the area, Sergeant Washington left his position and continually guided the helicopters that were bringing the necessary resupply of ammunition. He helped unload the choppers and proceeded to carry the ammunition to the bunker line. Still under heavy enemy pressure, Sergeant Washington passed out ammunition, fired on the enemy and on return trips pulled the wounded from their positions back to the landing zone for treatment and subsequent evacuation. Due to Sergeant Washington's efforts, the critically wounded were promptly evacuated and countless lives were saved. His unselfish and tireless work during an eight hour period that went well into the next day inspired others to leave their positions and assist him. On the afternoon of 11 November, Company D had just arrived on Hill 724 when it came under a heavy barrage of hostile small arms and mortar fire. Sergeant Washington, as Acting Platoon Leader, showed outstanding leadership by organizing and directing the defensive and offensive positions of the 3rd Platoon. On that same evening while the Company was under a constant and heavy attack of enemy fire, he led a squad of men to reinforce Company E's perimeter, and by skillfully maneuvering his men till they were at the weakest position of the perimeter was able to repel the enemy attack with a rapid and sustained volley of small arms fire. Sergeant Washington's extraordinary heroism is in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon him and the United States Army.

• 
  Department of the Army, General Orders No. 2 (February 3, 1976)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Albert R. Watts, Platoon 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 D, 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. Platoon Sergeant Watts distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 23 September 1966 while serving with elements of the 12th Cavalry assaulting an entrenched Viet Cong force near Bong Son. During the initial moments of the engagement, Sergeant Watts' company sustained several casualties, who lay exposed a few meters in front of three hostile bunkers. Repeated attempts to reach the wounded men had failed, as the well fortified emplacements remained impervious, even to heliborne cannon strikes. Undaunted, Sergeant Watts maneuvered his platoon through devastating automatic weapons and machine gun fire, moving among his men, shouting encouragement and directing the attack. Realizing that his wounded comrades would soon die without medical aid, he ordered one squad to assault from the side while he charged the center bunker alone. Unmindful of the dangers and armed only with two hand grenades, Sergeant Watts ran across forty meters of bullet-swept terrain directly into the insurgent fire. Throwing both grenades through the firing ports, he silenced the position, killing all four Viet Cong inside. With the main hostile threat eliminated, the flanking team quickly overcame the second emplacement, but the platoon leader was wounded as the unit advanced on the last insurgent bunker. Assuming command, Sergeant Watts courageously led the final assault and safely reached the wounded men. His unimpeachable valor and selfless concern for others ensured the success of the mission and saved the lives of several fellow soldiers. Platoon Sergeant Watts' 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.

• 
  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1090 (March 14, 1967)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Richard Lee Waycaster, 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, 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. Specialist Four Waycaster distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 February 1969 as a machine gunner during a search and clear mission near Landing Zone Saint Barbara in Tay Ninh Province. While the point element of his company was crossing an open field, it came under heavy fire from concealed positions and several members were seriously wounded. Specialist Waycaster immediately advanced through the bullet-swept area, firing his machine gun as he went. Reaching an unprotected sector, he laid down an effective barrage which silenced the enemy automatic weapons positions. After taking his machine gun to another point from which he could cover several of his comrades who were evacuating the casualties, he was wounded by hostile automatic weapons fire, but he continued to provide suppressive fire until the wounded had been brought to safety. As he started to withdraw to his company's defensive perimeter, he spotted a wounded comrade who had not been seen by the others and moved to assist him. When he had reached the fallen trooper the enemy unleashed a heavy volume of fire at the two men. Specialist Waycaster covered the man's body with his own and was morally wounded. Specialist Four Waycaster'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.

• 
  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1533 (April 30, 1969)
  

*Waymire, Jackie L.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Jackie L. Waymire, 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, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Sergeant Waymire distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 9 January 1967. 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.

• 
  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 377 (January 26, 1967)
  

Webb, Francis R.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Francis R. Webb, 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, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Staff Sergeant Webb distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 1 February 1969 as a platoon sergeant on a company-size reconnaissance-in-force mission approximately seven miles west of Ben Cat. Approaching the vicinity of an enemy base camp, his company received intense rocket-propelled grenade, automatic weapons and small arms fire from three sides. Sergeant Webb obtained a machine gun and laid covering fire as the unit withdrew to regroup. Returning to his platoon, he organized a flanking movement against a bunker and spiderhole complex. He valiantly led a group forward against a bunker, but heavy hostile fire wounded one man and forced the others back. Sergeant Webb again remained exposed to the enemy barrage to provide covering fire. While maneuvering to the main body of the company, his assistant gunner was seriously wounded. Sergeant Webb unhesitatingly dropped his machine gun and crawled one hundred meters through the enemy fusillade with his stricken comrade. When he reached his platoon, he found that the platoon leader was incapacitated by wounds. Taking command, Sergeant Webb deployed his men, crawling among them to give encouragement and directions. As night approached, he took volunteers to secure two casualties and the machine gun. They reached the machine gun, which was then used against the bunkers. As they moved to their fallen comrades, Sergeant Webb destroyed a bunker with two light anti-tank weapons and eliminated the spider holes with fragmentation grenades, thereby permitting his men to retrieve the casualties to safety. Staff Sergeant Webb'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.