Compiled and Edited By C. Douglas Sterner

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 875 (April 15, 1970)
  

*See, Otto William

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Otto William See, 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, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. Sergeant First Class See distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 11 March 1968 while serving as the observer on the lead ship of an aero-scout team reconnoitering an area in Quang Tri Province suspected to contain an enemy regimental headquarters. After locating the communists' barracks, the team called in armed helicopters which fired rockets into the buildings. As the scout ships returned to the area to assess the damage, they and the troop commander's helicopter came under intense automatic weapons fire. The troop commander and his pilot were wounded, and their craft crashed. Sergeant See immediately volunteered to attempt a rescue. Because his helicopter was unable to land near the crash site, he jumped from its skid as it hovered over the wreckage. The downed craft had begun to burn, and its still running engine was spewing fuel on the spreading flames. Sergeant See climbed inside the ship and pulled the wounded out one at a time. As he started to carry the casualties up a ravine for extraction by a waiting aircraft, a North Vietnamese company began to advance on his position to cut off his maneuver. Armed only with a pistol, he returned their fire while continuing to assist the injured up the hill. Upon reaching the landing zone, he put the casualties safely aboard the ship and remained behind with some of its crew members, fighting off the aggressors until another rescue helicopter arrived. Platoon Sergeant See'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. 5200 (November 8, 1968)
  

*Seibert, Richard J.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Richard J. Seibert, 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 D, 3d Battalion, 21st Infantry, 196th Infantry Brigade (Light) (Separate). Second Lieutenant Seibert distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 8 January 1968 while serving as platoon leader of an infantry unit during a search and clear operation in the Que Son Valley. Shortly after noon, his platoon was heavily attacked by an enemy force firing from a treeline. With bullets striking all around him, Lieutenant Seibert unhesitantly led a fierce attack on the hostile positions. His men became pinned down by a withering hail of bullets, and he crawled forward alone and destroyed one position with well-placed grenades. Intense machine gun fire raked his position from the flank, and he fearlessly directed his assault on the second Viet Cong emplacement. After crossing a river, he charged the fortification across an open rice paddy. He quickly reached a low dike and hurled two grenades into the machine gun nest which demolished the weapon and killed its crew. He repeatedly exposed himself to enemy weapons to draw fire away from his men and allow them to join the attack. When it became evident that his unit was surrounded, Lieutenant Seibert rallied his men to fight their way through the insurgents' lines. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he led a furious charge into a curtain of enemy fire to break through the encirclement. He was mortally wounded while gallantly leading his men against heavy odds in the heat of battle. Second Lieutenant Seibert'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. 871 (February 26, 1968)
  

Sellers, Richard D.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Richard D. Sellers, Warrant Officer (W-1), 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 E, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Warrant Officer W1 Sellers distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 5 January 1971 while piloting a helicopter during rescue operations near Lai Khe. Learning that an American helicopter had been shot down and its survivors were in close proximity of enemy troops, Warrant Officer Sellers volunteered to attempt a rescue and flew to the site of the wreckage. As he approached the location of the downed aircraft, his helicopter became the target of intense enemy ground fire. Unable to land, Mister Sellers had to hover his rescue airship while one of the wounded soldiers was lifted aboard. Suddenly, a barrage of automatic weapons fire sprayed upon his helicopter, necessitating an evasive departure in order for a helicopter gunship to saturate the area with suppressive fire. Although his helicopter sustained battle damage, the defiant Mister Sellers again brought his helicopter to a hover over the remaining crew members. Amid a fusillade of enemy bullets, Warrant Officer Sellers remained in this vulnerable position until all were on board and then proceeded to Phuoc Vinh's medical hospital. Warrant Officer W1 Sellers' 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. 1325 (April 20, 1971)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Orville W. Sergent, III, Specialist Fifth 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 366th Aviation Detachment (Divisional), 165th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade. Specialist Five Sergent distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 11 May 1969 during an enemy attack on Fire Base Oasis. Specialist Sergent moved through the barrage of incoming mortar rounds to take up a position on the perimeter. When the bombardment ceased and a force of about one hundred sappers armed with satchel charges and grenades stormed the berm, Specialist Sergent delivered a fusillade of rifle fire on the assailants. Despite the heavy retaliatory fire, the enemy penetrated the defense line. Specialist Sergent immediately left his bunker and directly engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. Seeming to be everywhere at once, he shot a sniper who had wounded one of his comrades. He eliminated two more enemy sappers while fighting his way toward two wounded men, whom he succeeded in removing to safety. When a hostile sniper killed the detachment sergeant who was attempting to secure munitions from a conex container, Specialist Sergent quickly shot the sniper and then carried the needed ammunition to several firing points. For two hours he continued to engage the enemy, always remaining in the open, and he proved most instrumental in repelling the hostile force and in preventing another penetration. Specialist Five Sergent'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. 3310 (August 29, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Daniel J. Severson, 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 B, 4th Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate). First Lieutenant Severson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 16 January 1967 while serving with elements of the 503rd Infantry on a search and destroy operation near Ben Cat. As company Executive Officer, Lieutenant Severson was accompanying the point platoon when it made contact and assaulted a hostile bunker complex. During the intense fire-fight that ensued, several friendly casualties were sustained, including the platoon leader. Lieutenant Severson immediately assumed command and, exposed to the devastating fire, moved along the line shouting encouragement, distributing ammunition and directing fire into the insurgent emplacements. Inspired and calmed by his gallant leadership, the platoon quickly regrouped and killed four Viet Cong before being ordered to withdraw. As the unit stated to pull back, it suddenly received murderous fire from a hidden gun on the right flank. Lieutenant Severson dauntlessly advanced toward the Viet Cong position, until he was knocked unconscious by an exploding grenade, which killed his radio operator and disabled his weapon. Regaining consciousness, and armed only with grenades, he single-handedly assaulted the hostile emplacement, but was painfully wounded in the leg. With complete disregard for his safety, he continued to crawl forward and silenced the weapon, killing one insurgent. Refusing medical treatment, Lieutenant Severson covered the platoon withdrawal and returned to the company perimeter only after ensuring that none of his dead or wounded were left behind. Demonstrating boundless courage and aggressive determination, he further assisted the commander in directing air strikes which routed the hostile force. First Lieutenant Severson 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. 1064 (March 12, 1967)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Paul Roy Severson, Specialist Fifth 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 Detachment B-20, Company B, 5th Special Forces (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Specialist Five Severson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 25 August 1968 while serving as a platoon leader during an assault on enemy-controlled bunkers and trenches in the Duc Lap Special Forces camp. Specialist Severson, pinned down initially by a heavy volume of small arms and automatic weapons fire, joined another American and began a two-man assault on an estimated two platoons of North Vietnamese Army troops. Braving a withering hail of hostile fire, they seized the first bunker. They then rushed another bunker, and when grenades failed to silence its weapons, Specialist Severson moved around the fortification and killed the enemy inside with rifle fire. He then entered the communist-held trench line. Moving forward alone under heavy fire, he encountered four aggressors and killed two of them before he was mortally wounded. Specialist Five Severson'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. 4562 (October 1, 1968)
  

*Shaffer, Earl Thomas, Sr.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Earl Thomas Shaffer, Sr., First Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 3d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). First Sergeant Shaffer distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 9 December 1968 during a search and clear mission in a rubber plantation in Binh Long Province. His company's mortar platoon was attacked by an estimated two companies of North Vietnamese regulars. The three other platoons attempted to reach the besieged element, but were halted by intense fire from several enemy machine guns, forcing them to deploy into a defensive perimeter. Despite the repeated assaults of the numerically superior foe, Sergeant Shaffer insisted on continuing to the stranded platoon. Moving beyond his company's perimeter, he crawled past several hostile machine gun positions to the surrounded unit's location where he found six men wounded and in need of medical attention. He treated the men while remaining exposed to intense enemy fire. Spotting the platoon leader lying seriously wounded, he unhesitatingly went to his assistance, although warned the man's position was covered by an enemy machine gun. He was able to reach him, but was fatally wounded as he began to render medical aid. First Sergeant Shaffer'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. 405 (February 5, 1969)
  

Sharpe, Merle J.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Merle J. Sharpe, First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 5th Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Sharpe distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 7 May 1968 as the commanding officer of a mechanized infantry company during an operation in Gia Dinh Province. During his first few moments of contact with a reinforced Viet Cong battalion located in a built-up residential area, Lieutenant Sharpe was severely wounded and his command vehicle destroyed by enemy rocket fire. Refusing evacuation, he moved to another track, propped himself up in a highly vulnerable position and continued to direct his company's maneuver, supporting artillery, gunships and air strikes. When the air strikes were completed Lieutenant Sharpe personally led his unit in a house-to-house assault on the Viet Cong. Despite the pain of his wounds, he refused medical evacuation for six hours, until the enemy had been routed from the area. As a result of his courageous leadership, the enemy lost two hundred and thirteen dead by body count. First Lieutenant Sharpe'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. 4524 (September 28, 1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Edward Jerome Shaughnessy, 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, 1st Battalion, 52d Infantry, 198th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. Private First Class Shaughnessy distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 12 May 1969 while defending Landing Zone Stinson. A numerically superior enemy force breached the landing zone's defensive perimeter and quickly captured several bunkers under cover of intense rocket and mortar barrages. On perimeter guard at the time of attack, Private Shaughnessy left his bunker and rushed through the storm of incoming projectiles to take up a position close to where the sappers were concentrating their assault. He slowed the sappers' infiltration with heavy volumes of strafing machine gun fire. When the gun malfunctioned, he again ran under fire to another friendly emplacement to obtain hand grenades. He then charged one occupied bunker and eliminated its captors with well-placed grenades. Seeing a team of sappers cutting their way through the perimeter wire, he repelled the intruders by unleashing on them the remainder of his grenades. Private Shaughnessy then secured two M-72 Light Anti-tank Weapons, maneuvered close to the last enemy-held fortifications, and destroyed them. Private First Class Shaughnessy'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. 3786 (October 7, 1969)
  

*Shaw, Clarence Lee

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Clarence Lee Shaw, 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, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Specialist Four Shaw distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 7 November 1967 while serving as acting sergeant of an infantry unit on a two-company search and destroy operation near Loc Ninh. Specialist Shaw and his squad were providing flank security for his company when forward elements located and killed an enemy sniper. A large Viet Cong force immediately triggered a savage attack on the entire unit with claymore mines, automatic weapons and small arms fire. After quickly deploying his squad in an extremely effective defensive perimeter, he repeatedly exposed himself to the intense barrage to locate the targets and direct fire on the enemy positions which inflicted heavy casualties on the determined insurgents. He was seriously wounded when the Viet Cong began hitting his position with accurate rocket fire, and his squad was ordered to join the main body of the company. Completely disregarding his own safety, Specialist Shaw directed his men to move back while he remained behind to cover their movement. The Viet Cong intensified their attack on his position, but instead of seeking shelter, Specialist Shaw braved the withering fire and charged the advancing enemy, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers with rifle fire and grenades. He was mortally wounded while unselfishly placing the lives of his fellow soldiers above his own welfare in the face of grave danger. His gallant actions completely disorganized the insurgents and enabled his company to totally defeat them in a fierce battle. Specialist Four Shaw'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. 6501 (December 18, 1967)
  

*Shaw, Gary Francis

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Gary Francis Shaw, 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 C, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate). Private First Class Shaw distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 11 November 1967 as radio operator of an airborne infantry company conducting a search and destroy mission near Dak To. The unit was moving down a ridgeline covered with thick bamboo when it was savagely attacked by a North Vietnamese battalion firing mortars, rockets and automatic weapons. Heavy casualties were suffered by the lead platoon, and Private Shaw immediately volunteered to go to the aid of his wounded comrades. Braving withering enemy fire, he raced from one clump of bamboo to another as he advanced seventy-five meters down the hill to where the stricken paratroopers lay. With bullets striking all around him, he began to pull the wounded from the killing zone and carry them up the hill to safety. He saw one casualty fall in an exposed area while attempting to crawl from the ambush site unassisted. Ignoring exploding mortars and grenades, Private Shaw moved to the man and dragged him to the company's defensive perimeter. He then returned to the base of the ridge and killed at least six of the assaulting North Vietnamese with fierce rifle fire as other members of his unit rescued the remaining wounded. He was instantly killed while gallantly covering their withdrawal. Private First Class Shaw'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. 1487 (April 2, 1968)
  

Home Town: Toledo, Ohio

*Shaw, William Frederick, Jr.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William Frederick Shaw, Jr., 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, 5th Battalion, 60th Infantry, 3d Brigade, 9th Infantry Division. Sergeant Shaw distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 6 August 1970 while serving as a machine gunner during allied reconnaissance operations in Binh Duong Province. As darkness approached on 6 August 1970, Sergeant Shaw manned his machine gun position at the edge of a bomb crater while the remainder of the company prepared their positions nearby. Suddenly a friendly observation post, located approximately twenty meters from the sergeant, was raked by a volley of enemy fire, wounding one of the observers. Because of the proximity of his position to the besieged allies, Sergeant Shaw could not provide effective counter fire without endangering them. Realizing immediate action was essential, the sergeant secured his machine gun and assaulted the enemy forces, firing his weapon as he advanced. Although wounded by the enemy fire that was now directed almost entirely at him, he never faltered in his advance and continued firing at the enemy until he was fatally wounded soon thereafter. Because of his determined actions, the remainder of the company was able to successfully react to the enemy force and insure the relative safety of the allied observers. Sergeant Shaw'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. 5110 (November 20, 1970)
  

Shea, Thomas

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Thomas Shea, 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, 3d Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Shea distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 9 May 1969 while serving as a member in the defense of Landing Zone Penny. During the early morning hours enemy mortars and rockets began raining on the base. A force of North Vietnamese quickly penetrated the barbed wire barrier and swarmed into the camp flinging satchel charges. Taking control of a machine gun bunker, the hostile force began firing the fifty-caliber weapon at mortar and artillery positions within the perimeter. Specialist Shea quickly crawled toward the enemy position and silenced it with hand grenades. Then, after securing an M-16 rifle, he made his way toward the tactical operations center which was the target for the main invading force. As he approached, the communists unleashed a torrent of small arms fire. Specialist Shea was knocked to the ground when a round struck him in the leg. He crawled to a machine gun position where he secured the weapon and walked directly toward the enemy with the machine gun blazing. His aggressive assault forced the hostile soldiers back, enabling a reaction force to sweep in and secure the perimeter. Specialist Four Shea'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.