Compiled and Edited By C. Douglas Sterner

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 727 (March 1, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Mark T. Ridley, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company C, 2d Battalion, 22d Infantry, 3d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Staff Sergeant Ridley distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 1 and 2 January 1968 as an infantry patrol leader. Sergeant Ridley had positioned his twelve-man unit near a trail approximately eight hundred meters from the fire support base it was protecting. When the base came under an intense night mortar attack, Sergeant Ridley observed the source of the hostile fire and immediately called counterfire on the enemy gun positions. Moments later he observed the first wave of enemy ground troops moving past his position toward the fire support base and he quickly alerted the camp of the impending assault. He then moved his team into a defensive position. As the insurgents closed on the support base's perimeter and his patrol's position, he called supporting artillery and mortar fire on the enemy, at times to within fifteen meters of his own location. Although surrounded throughout the attack, he continued to radio a steady stream of information to the besieged camp, while successfully directing the defensive fires of his men. Sergeant Ridley's personal bravery and exemplary leadership contributed significantly to the defeat of a determined enemy force. Staff Sergeant Ridley'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. 3074 (June 25, 1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Ronald J. Riley, 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 D, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). First Lieutenant Riley distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 16 and 17 February 1967 while serving as a platoon leader with elements of the 1st Cavalry Division on a search and destroy mission near Bong Son. After conducting a sweep along the Song Tam Quan River, the platoon set up defensive positions for the night. At approximately 2130 hours, the perimeter received an intense mortar, grenade and automatic weapons attack from a large North Vietnamese Army force, which wounded several men at the outset. Seeing his radio operator hit and lying helpless in an open area, Lieutenant Riley fearlessly rushed to him and carried the stricken soldier through a hail of bullets to cover. He then began moving around the ravaged perimeter redeploying his men, assisting the wounded and shouting encouragement. As the insurgent attack intensified, Lieutenant Riley repeatedly exposed himself to call in artillery and air strikes that forced the North Vietnamese to break contact and flee. When evacuation aircraft arrived, he directed the extraction of the casualties and kept his men alert during the remainder of the night for a possible counterattack. As the platoon prepared to move out the next morning, it received harassing sniper fire. Quickly maneuvering his men, Lieutenant Riley succeeded in trapping the enemy soldiers on a small island. Armed only with a pistol, he gallantly entered the river alone to probe the bank for a cave and killed one sniper who suddenly lunged at him. Lieutenant Riley and a machine gunner then aggressively engaged and killed five other insurgents in a brief fight. His unimpeachable valor and assuring composure throughout the battle enabled his platoon to inflict heavy casualties upon a numerically superior hostile force without sustaining any fatalities. First Lieutenant Riley'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. 2660 (June 6, 1967)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Richard J. Rinaldo, 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, 2d Battalion, 1st Infantry, 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. Captain Rinaldo distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 22 March 1969 while commanding his company in an attempt to capture a strategic hill near Tien Phuoc. Braving heavy automatic weapons fire from well-concealed, fortified North Vietnamese Army positions, Captain Rinaldo led his men in securing the western half of the hilltop. As he began to evacuate his unit's nine casualties, heavy mortar and machine gun fire erupted from the valley below, with one of the first mortar rounds wounding the entire command group of a sister company that was bringing up reinforcements. Elements trying to go down the hill were pinned down by small arms fire from the flank and the remaining troops of both companies were exhausted after fighting and carrying casualties in the intense heat. Captain Rinaldo moved among his men, calming them and preventing panic. He was wounded by mortar fragments, but, refusing medical aid, continued to encourage his soldiers and called in gun ships against the enemy mortar and machine gun emplacements. Although he had now suffered twenty-six casualties, including all of his platoon leaders and platoon sergeants, he realized pulling back under the hostile barrage would result in many more injuries. Rallying the ten men who were still able to fight, he held off the communists until he had directed air strikes against the enemy mortar position. He then covered his troops withdrawal, staying behind and directing gun ship strikes within twenty meters of his position. When he went to the landing zone, he reorganized the remnants of both companies and established a defensive perimeter on a nearby hill. Captain Rinaldo'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. 2046 (June 11, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to George M. Ring, 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, 12th Cavalry, 3d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. Second Lieutenant Ring distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 7 June 1968 as an infantry platoon leader during a mission in the Que Son Valley. A sister unit became encircled by a large enemy force, and Lieutenant Ring repeatedly exposed himself to heavy hostile fire as he led his men through enemy lines to reach and relieve the pressure on the embattled company. As the trapped company broke out of the encirclement, Lieutenant Ring remained behind to organize and evacuate the wounded. The enemy closed the breach in their envelopment, leaving him and an element of fifty men completely surrounded. After making several attempts to break through the enemy lines, the small detachment formed a defensive perimeter. Lieutenant Ring then called in and adjusted a concentrated ring of artillery fire around the position. The North Vietnamese Army troops repeatedly assaulted the defenders, attempting to overrun their position. Each attack was successfully repulsed as Lieutenant Ring skillfully coordinated and adjusted artillery barrages and the small arms and automatic weapons fire of his men on the assaulting troops. During one attack a group of enemy soldiers made their way to within three meters of where the element's wounded were lying. Lieutenant Ring immediately charged the intruders and killed them with rifle fire. Second Lieutenant Ring'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. 3990 (August 17, 1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Alfred R. Rios, 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 Battery C, 4th Battalion, 60th Artillery, I Field Force, Vietnam. Sergeant Rios distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 13 May 1968 while serving as section chief of an artillery unit. His section was guarding the Bong Son Bridge on Highway One. Shortly after midnight his position was suddenly attacked by a Viet Cong force, and an enemy grenade was thrown into the midst of several of his men. With complete disregard for his safety, Sergeant Rios leaped on the grenade, using his body to shield his comrades. The grenade malfunctioned and failed to explode. Sergeant Rios rolled over on his side, picked up the grenade, and threw it back toward the enemy positions. It exploded in the air. He then rallied his troops and directed their fire on the aggressors, killing Two Viet Cong and repelling the enemy attack. Sergeant Rios' 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. 5341 (November 17, 1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Ricardo L. Rios, 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 D, 3d Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Rios distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 7 December 1969 while serving as a medical aidman on a combat operation in Kontum Province. As the point element of Specialist Rios' platoon was nearing a small stream bed, a well-concealed enemy force initiated contact with small arms and light machine gun fire. Specialist Rios discovered that the point man was wounded and rushed from the rear to his aid. En route, he was seriously wounded in the arm by sniper fire, but he stubbornly moved forward, braving the intense enemy fire to treat the injured man. Threading his way back through enemy fire, he treated two other wounded platoon members. Meanwhile, the point man was wounded again and lapsed into unconsciousness. Specialist Rios moved forward, and although the constant target of enemy snipers, pulled the point man to the safety of nearby concealment. Shortly thereafter, the wounded machine gunner called for a re-supply of ammunition. Specialist Rios responded by making three trips with ammunition from the rear to the machine gunner's position. On the fourth trip, Specialist Rio's wounds no longer allowed him to continue and he fell unconscious. Specialist Four Rios' 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. 2009 (June 23, 1970)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Marvin James Roberts, 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 as company commander of Company B, 1st Battalion, 11th Infantry, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized), on 27 March 1969. Wounded while leading his men against the entrenched enemy positions, Captain Roberts still managed to call for and adjust artillery and tactical air strikes on the NVA positions. He then moved through the ranks shouting encouragement and giving directions to continue the attack. As his unit neared the crest of the hill, an enemy grenade bounded into the company command group. Immediately and without regard to his own safety, he hurled the grenade back into the aggressor's position, killing the occupant. At that point, hostile machine guns opened fire from a concealed position inflicting casualties upon the exposed forces. Realizing that the machine guns threatened the lives of most of his company, Captain Roberts drew his pistol and charged up a hill through a curtain of fire and hurled a grenade into the position, silencing the enemy weapons. At this point the captain was the only officer remaining in the command group. His assault carried him to the enemy position where he fired his pistol at point blank range and killed the remainder of the machine gun crew. Captain Roberts was again seriously wounded in the assault on the machine gun position. Inspired by his leadership, the men of his unit rushed the crest of the hill and overcame the remaining enemy resistance. Mortally wounded and unable to move, he continued to point out enemy positions to his company and refused to be evacuated until the objective was secured and all other casualties had been treated and evacuated. Captain Roberts 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. 40 (July 22, 1970)
  

*Robinson, Calvin

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Calvin Robinson, 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 D, 6th Battalion, 31st Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Robinson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 12 January 1969 while serving as radio-telephone operator on a night patrol near Cai Nua in Dinh Tuong Province. A numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force attacked the patrol and within minutes Specialist Robinson was wounded by a rocket-propelled grenade and automatic weapons fire. Finding that the assistant machine gunner had been seriously wounded, he voluntarily left a relatively safe location and went with the machine gunner to a site directly in the path of the main hostile element. Despite his painful injuries, Specialist worked feverishly to place an intense barrage on the aggressors which helped to turn back the first wave of the assault and enabled his comrades to move casualties and establish a perimeter behind a rice paddy dike. When the machine gun ran low on ammunition, he braved the communists' fusillade to pick up a re-supply and returned to his exposed position. As he and the machine gunner were continuing to hold back the overwhelming hostile force, they were both mortally wounded by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade. Specialist Four Robinson'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. 1538 (April 30, 1969)
  

Robinson, John R.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John R. Robinson, 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 A, 1st Battalion, 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate). Second Lieutenant Robinson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 18 November 1967 while serving as platoon leader of an airborne infantry company on a search and destroy operation near Dak To. While setting up a perimeter atop Hill 882, his unit was heavily attacked on all sides by a reinforced North Vietnamese Army company firing automatic weapons, small arms and grenades. Lieutenant Robinson was wounded by grenade fragments as he moved to direct the fires of his men, but refused aid and helped evacuate a wounded comrade. The hostile force advanced as close as three meters to his perimeter, and he delivered deadly fire into the attackers which silenced several automatic weapons and forced a momentary lull in the assault. As he called for a machine gun to replace one that had been destroyed, the enemy renewed the vicious attack with anti-tank weapons, penetrated a portion of the perimeter, and knocked out his remaining machine gun. Although wounded again by a rocket, Lieutenant Robinson maneuvered his men into a blocking position, trapping and killing the insurgents inside the perimeter and forcing those outside to withdraw. Bleeding severely from a third wound, he crawled forward of his lines to search for a missing squad leader and was pinned down by withering machine gun and automatic weapons fire. He destroyed the machine gun with grenades and demolished another position with deadly rifle fire. Returning to his own lines, he quickly directed the evacuation of his wounded men and continued to refuse aid for his own wounds until he had secured his perimeter for the night. Second Lieutenant Robinson'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. 837 (February 23, 1971)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Melvin C. Robinson, 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 A/227th Assault Helicopter Company, 52d Combat Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Brigade. Specialist Four Robinson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 25 May 1971 while serving as crewchief on an emergency medical evacuation mission near Dac To. His helicopter embarked on a mission to rescue a seriously wounded survivor of a U.S. helicopter which had crashed the day before. This involved braving intense enemy anti-aircraft fire since an estimated two enemy regiments completely surrounded the besieged firebase. Specialist Robinson realized the enemy situation and strength, but his concern for the life of a fellow American soldier overshadowed this knowledge. It was further learned that two ARVN soldiers were also critically wounded and in dire need of medical evacuation. Specialist Robinson's aircraft proceeded through the hail of fire to the firebase and picked up the seriously wounded American as well as the allied soldiers. Upon departing the firebase, his helicopter received heavy enemy fire and lost its motor before it burst into flames and crashed into the jungle. It was during this period that Specialist Robinson was killed. Specialist Robinson's personal bravery 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. 3412 (December 2, 1971)
  

*Robison, Donald Robert

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Donald Robert Robison, Captain (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 M, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. Captain Robison distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 12 March 1968 as commanding officer of an armored cavalry company on a reconnaissance-in-force mission near Duc Hoa. When his unit suddenly encountered a well armed enemy battalion occupying fortified positions, Captain Robison skillfully maneuvered his platoons to the point of heaviest contact and personally led an attack on the hostile force. His company advanced on the Viet Cong positions in the face of an intense barrage of highly accurate automatic weapons, small arms, and anti-tank rocket fire. One of the tanks in the lead platoon sustained a direct hit from a rocket, disabling the vehicle and wounding several crewmembers. Captain Robison fearlessly maneuvered his tank toward the disabled vehicle to prevent the insurgents from annihilating its crew. Firing his main gun and the turret machine gun, he provided protection for an evacuation team attempting to remove the casualties already suffered. He and his crew were wounded when his tank took a direct hit. Disregarding his welfare, Captain Robison began to evacuate the wounded from his tank. Each time a wave of the enemy rushed his crippled vehicle, he stopped their advance with deadly suppressive fire. As the medics began moving the injured to a more secure area, Captain Robison stayed on his tank to provide covering fire for them. He was mortally wounded while selflessly placing the welfare of his fellow soldiers above his own in close combat with a determined enemy. Captain Robison'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. 2865 (June 15, 1968)
  

Rock, Paul J.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Paul J. Rock, 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, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Specialist Four Rock distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 26 October 1967 as grenadier of a seven-man killer team on a combat mission near My Binh. The team had left its company perimeter late at night and was moving toward a small village when Specialist Rock heard the handle of a grenade pop. Realizing that he and his fellow soldiers were walking into an ambush, he immediately turned and fired on the North Vietnamese soldier holding the grenade, thus setting off the ambush before the patrol had entered its killing zone. The enemy grenade exploded and severely wounded Specialist Rock and several comrades. Ignoring his painful wounds, he got to his feet and dauntlessly charged the enemy positions through a curtain of hostile fire. Although wounded four more times by savage automatic weapons fire, he pressed his personal assault, killing one North Vietnamese soldier and wounding several others with fierce rifle fire. Specialist Rock continued to expose himself to a relentless hail of bullets as he rendered first aid to a wounded team member and then gallantly remained behind to cover the team's withdrawal. His fearless and determined actions in close combat saved the lives of all the patrol members. Specialist Four Rock'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.