Compiled and Edited By C. Douglas Sterner

Boyd, Charles N.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Charles N. Boyd, 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 Troop A, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Platoon Sergeant Boyd distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 15 February 1968 as acting platoon leader of an armored cavalry troop on a search and destroy operation in the village of Thon Hai. As his unit moved into the hamlet to search for enemy elements, it was suddenly attacked by a well-entrenched North Vietnamese Army force firing automatic weapons and small arms. Exposing himself to a hail of bullets, Sergeant Boyd delivered devastating machine gun fire into the enemy positions to suppress the fusillade and to mark targets for the rest of his platoon. His unit's armored vehicles could not advance on the insurgents and engage them at close quarters because of the thick underbrush and rice paddy dikes in the area. Completely disregarding his safety, Sergeant Boyd dismounted his vehicle and armed only with grenades and a pistol, fearlessly assaulted into the face of the ravaging enemy fire. He fought his way through the dense underbrush to a North Vietnamese trench and killed two insurgents with his pistol. The enemy concentrated murderous fire toward him, but he continued his charge and killed two more insurgents by throwing grenades in their emplacement. Despite all attempts to stop him, he advanced deeper into the fortification complex and killed another two enemy soldiers in a bunker with pistol fire. His heroic actions inspired his men to fight aggressively and annihilate the North Vietnamese forces. Platoon Sergeant Boyd'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. 2409 & 4014 (1968) (May 21, 1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Jerry J. Boyington, 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 Company B, 25th Aviation Battalion, 25th Infantry Division. Captain Boyington distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 5 August 1968 as commander of a smoke screening helicopter in support of combat assault operations near the town of Bau Trau. A flight of troop-carrying helicopters approaching a landing zone came under intense hostile fire from an estimated battalion of North Vietnamese forces, which included an anti-aircraft company. Captain Boyington fearlessly maneuvered his aircraft between the troop ships and the enemy fusillade to lay screening smoke for the unarmed aircraft. Disregarding his safety, he placed the smoke screen to within meters of the hostile positions, and by flying at point blank range, drew the deadly fire away from the troop-laden aircraft. He continued to protect the landing troops until the murderous barrage damaged his helicopter, forcing him to break contact. Captain Boyington'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. 5627 (December 5, 1968)
  

Bradsell, Peter

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Peter Bradsell, Chief Warrant Officer, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop B, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 1st Aviation Brigade. Chief Warrant Officer Peter Bradsell distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions during the period 31 May 1971 to 5 June 1971. On 31 May 1971, he volunteered to fly a Vietnamese Army doctor to First Support Base Five, Kontum Province, Military Region II, Republic of Vietnam. This base was manned by a unit of the South Vietnamese Army, was surrounded by an estimated regiment of the enemy and had been under siege for seven days. Two previous attempts to re-supply the base and deliver medical support by air had failed and both aircraft were lost. Notwithstanding, Chief Warrant Officer Bradsell, exhibiting exceptional flying proficiency and bravery under fire, skillfully landed his helicopter at the beleaguered fire base amidst impacting mortar and rocket fire. Although he attempted takeoff to extract a seriously wounded soldier, he was unable to fly the aircraft because of power failure. He immediately volunteered to the Vietnamese Army commander of the compound to assist in the fire base's defense. Subsequently, using his extensive knowledge of aerial weapons employment, he successfully directed air and artillery strikes (some as close as 50 meters) against the enemy. Repeatedly exposing himself to enemy fire, he assisted in the care of the wounded and in resisting the enemy attacks. His extraordinary bravery, perseverance and dedication inspired the Vietnamese soldiers and encouraged them to continue the fight in the face of a numerically superior and determined enemy. His valiant efforts helped deny the enemy a significant victory on the battlefield as the siege was lifted on the seventh day. Chief Warrant Officer Bradsell'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. 1075 (May 20, 1972)
  

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  Department of the Army, General Orders No. 46 (October 26, 1967)
  

Brady, Patrick Henry

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Patrick Henry Brady, Major (Medical Service 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 54th Medical Detachment (Helicopter Ambulance), 74th Medical Battalion, 67th Medical Group, 44th Medical Brigade. Major Brady distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 2 and 3 October 1967 as pilot of an ambulance helicopter on a rescue mission near Tam Ky. A friendly force requested extraction of several seriously wounded soldiers from a mountainous jungle landing zone, and Major Brady volunteered to attempt the rescue although heavy storms had grounded numerous aircraft in the area. Flying by instruments and radar, he arrived in the area of engagement and began a vertical descent into the tight landing zone by the light of flares. Unable to see more than a few feet outside his aircraft, he skillfully maneuvered to the friendly forces, loaded his ship to capacity and quickly flew to the hospital. The storm increased in intensity and made flying extremely hazardous, but he returned to the pickup site and once more attempted to land. As he approached the area, enemy forces directed devastating machine gun and automatic weapons fire at him. Completely disregarding his personal welfare, he flew low over the area for forty-five minutes before he located the friendly forces. Guiding himself by the flashes of the enemy weapons, he flew into the landing zone through a curtain of fire and loaded eight patients. He quickly flew the patients to the hospital, and once more returned to pick up the remaining casualties and carry them to safety. His fearless actions were responsible for the rapid and successful evacuation of several wounded fellow soldiers. Major Brady'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. 2733 (June 7, 1968)
  

Home Town: Seattle, Washington

*Bragg, Fred Garland, Jr.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Fred Garland Bragg, Jr., First Lieutenant (Artillery), 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 Battery B, 4th Battalion, 42d Artillery, 4th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Bragg distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 12 July 1967 while serving as artillery forward observer with an infantry company on a search and destroy mission near the Cambodian border in the Central Highlands. When his company was surrounded and the company commander was killed, Lieutenant Bragg immediately took command and directed extremely deadly artillery fire on the insurgent forces. He bravely moved among his men giving encouragement and regrouping them into a more secure defense although he was fully exposed to intense mortar and automatic weapons fire. Seriously wounded, he continued to direct air strikes on the advancing enemy until a mortar round destroyed his only remaining radio. Staying in the open, he poured round after round of deadly fire into the advancing enemy force. He gave his life while bravely leading his men in the face of overwhelming odds. First Lieutenant Bragg'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. 4664 (September 14, 1967)
  

Branham, Steven R.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Steven R. Branham, 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, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Specialist Four Branham distinguished himself while serving as a machine gunner during a reconnaissance mission in Binh Long Province. His unit was moving over thick, jungle terrain when the forward element was pinned down by rocket and automatic weapons fire from an attacking enemy squad. Without hesitation, Specialist Branham rushed forward from his position in the rear of the element to engage the attackers with machine gun fire. Unleashing bursts of fire as he crawled along, Specialist Branham made his way over an exposed trail as the enemy's automatic weapons and rocket fire filled the air and impacted all about him. When his assistant was felled by hostile fire, he shielded his comrade with his own body until a medical aidman could move up. Despite an increased volume of enemy fire, Specialist Branham then gathered up his machine gun and ammunition and resumed his lone assault on the enemy. With the adversary's fire following his every movement, he boldly dashed to a position and with devastatingly accurate machine gun fire drove the foe to hasty and disorganized retreat. Specialist Four Branham'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. 1081 (May 6, 1970)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Conrad D. Braun, 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 C, 2d Battalion, 8th Infantry, 2d Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. Second Lieutenant Braun distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 16 February 1967 while serving as platoon leader during a search and destroy mission near the Cambodian border. As Lieutenant Braun's platoon approached a village, it was pinned down in a vicious crossfire of machine guns, then surrounded by an overwhelmingly larger hostile force. The Viet Cong initiated a heavy mortar barrage which steadily took its toll of the friendly platoon. As the crisis deepened, however, Lieutenant Braun's presence of mind and control of his men never faltered. Although the insurgents began to attack in force his hemmed in platoon, he called for his artillery and armed helicopter support and prevented the enemy from assembling in effective strength. Lieutenant Braun dauntlessly remained in exposed positions to guide the battle. At one point, he left his cover long enough for a hostile rifleman to shoot the radio handset from his hands. He unhesitatingly ran out into the hail of fire and recovered the instrument that was so vital to air and artillery support elements. When reinforcements finally reached his platoon, Lieutenant Braun and one other man were the only unwounded defenders. Lieutenant Braun on several occasions fearlessly ran out into the field of fire to bring his wounded comrades to safety. His courageous actions inspired his men to stave off and kill 94 of the larger Viet Cong force. Second Lieutenant Braun's extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2320 (May 22, 1967)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Rolla M. Breed, Captain (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 116th Assault Helicopter Company, 11th Combat Aviation Battalion. Captain (then First Lieutenant) Breed distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on the night of 22 October 1966 while flying in a flight of nine troop helicopters responsible for extracting beleaguered elements of the 25th Infantry Division. Throughout the day, extremely intense hostile fire had taken its toll of infantry and helicopters. When his aircraft received several damaging hits on the first landing, Captain Breed skillfully flew to a secure area to make repairs and evacuate his wounded crew chief. Returning to the battle, he dauntlessly braved the hostile fire and impending darkness to successfully extract a lift of troops. When an aircraft was shot down on departure, Captain Breed accompanied three other aircraft back into the besieged pickup zone. As the flight attempted to insert a security force, two of the helicopters were raked by hostile fire and crashed. With complete disregard for his safety, he selflessly remained over the battlefield, hovering in the darkness and rain, until he could safely land his troops and evacuate five of his wounded comrades. After refueling, Captain Breed voluntarily led another flight of reinforcements on a successful lift into the ravaged pickup zone. When intense Viet Cong fire brought down another helicopter, he again deliberately risked his life to rescue the wounded crew. Exposing himself to the intense fire and hazardous conditions, he courageously flew into the center of the conflict for the fifth time and extracted two more wounded men. His repeated gallantry under t he most critical conditions, helped save many lives. Captain Breed'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. 92 (January 8, 1967)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Artis Breland, Jr., 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, 39th Engineer Battalion (Combat), 45th Engineer Group (Construction), 18th Engineer Brigade. Private First Class Breland distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 March 1967 while serving as machine gunner during a Viet Cong ambush in hostile territory. Private Breland was selected, with six other men, to flank and counterattack a Viet Cong squad which ambushed his platoon. To reach the insurgent element, he was forced to crawl 200 meters through exposed areas of a rice paddy. Private Breland suppressed the hostile weapons with a tremendous burst of fire while the rest of his patrol ran across a road, then he jumped up and ran to join his comrades. In the outburst of enemy fire, he was hit in the helmet and knocked to the ground, dazed. He recovered in moments, grabbed his helmet, and succeeded in reaching the patrol, although enemy bullets tore up the ground along his path. Private Breland laid down a base of covering fire while his squad members made the next advance and then ran to join them, but was hit by a Viet Cong bullet in the right leg and fell to the ground. Disregarding his exposed position and the hostile shells striking all around him, he poured a stream of fire into the enemy emplacements until the insurgents were silenced. Taking no heed of his wound, Private Breland ran to join his squad and again prepared for further assaults. When told to give the machine gun to another soldier and report to a medic, he refused and continued to attack the Viet Cong in a highly aggressive manner until the ambush was repulsed. Private First Class Breland'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. 2635 (June 5, 1967)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Kenneth James Brenner, 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, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Private First Class Brenner distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 29 March 1969 as a medic in Tay Ninh Province. While his Company was securing a perimeter to allow helicopters to deliver supplies, the unit came under intense fire from a nearby wood line. Exposed to a hail of bullets, Private Brenner advanced over a hundred meters to reach several wounded comrades who lay close to the enemy bunkers. Firing his rifle at the communists, he treated the casualties and aided in their evacuation. When all the injured had been rescued and his company withdrew, he went to the rear where he continued to administer medical treatment and helped load ambulance helicopters. After air strikes were directed against the foe, he joined his unit in a second assault. As he courageously tried to help a man caught in the hostile killing zone, he was mortally wounded by the enemy fusillade. Private First Class Brenner'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. 2138 (June 17, 1969)
  

Brewer, Gary D.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Gary D. Brewer, Staff Sergeant, 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 Troop C, 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division. Staff Sergeant Brewer distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 January 1968 as the platoon sergeant of a cavalry unit while defending Tan Son Nhut Air Base during the enemy's TET offensive. A large Viet Cong/North Vietnamese Army force penetrated the defensive wire surrounding the base and occupied positions on the west end of the runway. Sergeant Brewer maneuvered his platoon to attack the enemy's northwest flank and successfully cut off the penetration. During this maneuver, both of his platoon's flanks became exposed to withering fire from elements of six enemy battalions. During the ensuing battle, the combined enemy force fired fierce volumes of rocket, machine gun and small arms fire into the small unit, inflicting numerous casualties. Finding that all the unit's officers had been wounded or killed, Sergeant Brewer immediately assumed command and deployed his troops for the five-hour struggle which followed. Undaunted by the enemy fusillade around him, he maintained vitally necessary communications with his squadron commander and requested and directed medical evacuation of the wounded and air re-supply. He frequently dismounted his armored vehicle to fight his way through the hostile emplacements to regain contact with separated members of his force and to direct their fire. His courage and professional guidance instilled confidence in his men, even though on numerous occasions the enemy threatened to overrun their positions. His outstanding leadership contributed significantly to the overwhelming defeat of the enemy. Staff Sergeant Brewer'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.