Compiled and Edited By C. Douglas Sterner

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3423 (September 7, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James J. Sherrill, 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 Advisory Team 64, U.S. Army Advisory Group, United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. Sergeant First Class Sherrill distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 January 1968 while serving as advisor to a Vietnamese Regional Force unit on a combat mission near Chau Doc. When Viet Cong elements invaded the city as part of their Lunar New Year offensive, Sergeant Sherrill immediately led four platoons in an attempt to drive the enemy out. The road to the town was blocked by a hostile force firing small arms, machine guns and grenades. Sergeant Sherrill quickly deployed his men for an assault through the Viet Cong lines. He then mounted his jeep and manned the machine gun in support of their advance on the enemy. A fellow soldier maneuvered to knock out an enemy machine gun with a recoilless rifle, but was pinned down by ravaging fire from the position. Sergeant Sherrill fully exposed himself to the insurgents' weapons and delivered devastating fire on the hostile emplacement to allow the man to move forward and destroy it. His troops' furious attack forced the Viet Cong to slowly pull back, and he tenaciously maintained pressure on the determined enemy. As he drove forward in the jeep, it was raked by automatic weapons and grenade fire. Severely wounded, he took cover behind the vehicle and returned fire with his rifle. Completely disregarding his welfare, he fought on until his ammunition was expended. Defenseless, he fearlessly remained in his tenuous position until he succumbed to his wounds. His courageous leadership inspired his men to continue their assault, and to defeat the enemy forces. Sergeant First Class Sherrill'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. 1174 (March 18, 1968)
  

Shortman, Phillip V.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Phillip V. Shortman, 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, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Private First Class Shortman distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 12 August 1969 while serving as a rifleman during a mission to establish a forward patrol base near Hieu Thien. After his unit had been airlifted into the landing zone and had begun to move away, an enemy force opened fire from the cover of a hedgerow, pinning the company down. Observing how the hostile fire was decimating his platoon, Private Shortman crawled forward through the fusillade to within fifteen meters of the enemy and tossed a grenade into a spiderhole bunker. As he moved back to his element's position, he carried two wounded comrades from their exposed location and immediately rendered first aid. As the deadly hail of hostile fire continued to riddle the area, Private Shortman again crawled forward in the face of the enemy to recover an M-60 machine gun left by a casualty. After a second perilous trip to secure ammunition, he commenced to unleash a devastating barrage which enabled the casualties to be evacuated and caused the enemy to flee. Private First Class Shortman'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. 4036 (October 31, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Marvin Isaac Siders, 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 D, 2d Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 3d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. Captain Siders distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 6 November 1968 while leading his company on a search and clear operation. The unit made contact with a large, well-entrenched North Vietnamese Army force and during the initial volley was pinned down by the intense hostile fire and sustained heavy casualties. Captain Siders moved through the aggressors' barrage to effectively position his troops and organize the evacuation of the wounded. After guiding in the ambulance helicopter and insuring that the injured men were safely evacuated, he ran to the foremost fighting position and directed both aerial rocket artillery and air strikes to within one hundred meters of his location. As he moved forward during a brief lull in the fighting to assess the damage of the tactical air strikes, the enemy suddenly unleashed a heavy bombardment of rocket, semi-automatic and automatic weapons fire. From his advanced position, Captain Siders spotted a strategic bunker which was directing the greatest volume of fire on his element. He immediately maneuvered toward the emplacement in a courageous attempt to draw the hostile fire. Skillfully employing his weapon and hurling grenades as he charged, Captain Siders was within feet of the fortification before being mortally wounded. Captain Siders' 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. 387 (February 4, 1969)
  

Silverstein, William I.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William I. Silverstein, Chief Warrant Officer (W-2), 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 170th Assault Helicopter Company, 52d Aviation Battalion, 17th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade. Chief Warrant Officer Silverstein distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 and 22 March 1967 while piloting a helicopter during a battle in Kontum Province. As the action opened Miser Silverstein volunteered to fly through intense hostile machine gun fire and the trajectory of enemy mortars and friendly artillery to the battle area to deliver the S-3 to the battalion command group. When one company reported that all its leaders had been either killed or wounded, he again volunteered to insert necessary personnel although the unit was in heavy contact and the only possible landing zone was in thick jungle behind North Vietnamese Army positions. After successfully landing seven men, he flew to a fire base, returned with ammunition and other vital supplies and, while under heavy enemy fire, lowered them through the dense foliage to the desperate ground troops. As night fell, an ambulance helicopter was shot down as it attempted to extract a wounded man and Miser Silverstein promptly inserted medical aidmen to care for the soldier. Learning that a raging brush fire had isolated the medics from other friendly elements, he returned through darkness and the communists' fusillade to evacuate them. Despite choking smoke and leaping flames he twice hovered over a bomb crater until all the medics were extracted. As the night progressed, he remained aloft to act as an aerial radio relay for the ground units, despite the fact that (REMAINEDER OF CITATION MISSING).

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 119 (January 11, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Burnell Simmons, 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 Battery A, 2d Battalion, 320th Artillery, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Staff Sergeant Simmons distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 15 October 1967 while serving as chief of a howitzer section supporting ground operations near Tam Ky. Late at night, a large Viet Cong force savagely attacked his camp with mortars, rockets, and small arms. The speed and intensity of the enemy assault overran the outposts, but Sergeant Simmons dashed to the battery under heaviest attack and rallied his men to fight furiously against the determined onslaught. He was seriously wounded by exploding grenades when the insurgents reached the parapets of his gun emplacement, but he refused aid and prepared the gun for direct fire against the onrushing enemy. Completely ignoring his own safety, he stood up amidst the fierce barrage to locate the hostile troop concentrations and fire rounds which momentarily stunned the insurgents and drove them back. Despite the continued fire, he dashed into the open to treat the wounded men and carry them to safety. He moved through the intense barrage time after time to direct fire on the determined insurgents and continue treating the casualties. He was mortally wounded while gallantly leading his men in the face of grave danger. His fearless leadership inspired his men to fight fiercely and repel the overwhelming Viet Cong attack. Staff Sergeant Simmons' 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. 6014 (November 21, 1967)
  

Simons, Arthur D.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Arthur D. Simons, Colonel (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism while commanding the ground element of a joint United States task force on an operation deep in North Vietnam on 21 November 1970. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Colonel Simons voluntarily participated as a member of a Joint Task Force with the humanitarian mission of rescuing United States military personnel held as prisoners of war at the Son Tay Prison Compound approximately twenty nautical miles from Hanoi, the capital of North Vietnam. In an outstanding display of leadership and personal courage, Colonel Simons led the ground force in the rescue effort. On the ground, the search and rescue element was immediately taken under automatic weapons fire by the enemy. While directing and supervising the operation, Colonel Simons continually exposed himself to enemy fire and, on one occasion, personally took under fire enemy personnel in close proximity to his position. The success of the operation was the direct result of Colonel Simons' calm and competent leadership in an extremely hazardous situation. His professional conduct instilled confidence in his men and resulted in an outstanding operation. Colonel Simons' extraordinary heroism was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit on him and the United States Army.

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  Department of the Army, General Orders No. 32 (July 13, 1971)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James P. Simons, First Lieutenant (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 A, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (airmobile). First Lieutenant Simons distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 17 December 1966 while serving as team leader of a helicopter scout group during a ground search and destroy mission near Bong Son. When initial ground contact with Viet Cong was made, Lieutenant Simons began flying at tree-top level on the outskirts of the battle area to prevent enemy escape. He began to receive machine gun fire and maneuvered so that the observer with him could fire on the insurgents, killing two of the enemy in this manner. He then began to reconnoiter the battle area for landing zones in preparation for infiltration of a rifle platoon. He received intense machine gun fire from two small clearings but returned the fire and mortally wounded a Viet Cong gunner. Finding a zone free of enemy control, he led the helicopters through a successful infiltration. After rearming and refueling his aircraft, Lieutenant Simons returned and found the friendly force in close combat with the insurgents. Despite intense ground fire, he flew at tree-top level to mark hostile positions with smoke grenades for supporting armed aircraft. When it became evident that the ground troops were still unable to maneuver because of the heavily fortified Viet Cong emplacement, Lieutenant Simons hovered his helicopter over the hostile bunkers and dropped grenades on them. Seeing friendly casualties stranded near the insurgent emplacements, he hovered in front of the enemy positions, attracting the insurgents' fire while the casualties were carried to safety. His aircraft was damaged by several enemy rounds, but he skillfully landed it outside the area of contact. First Lieutenant Simons' 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. 4455 (September 1, 1967)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Michael Paul Simpson, 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, 14th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Sergeant Simpson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 20 September 1968 during a reconnaissance-in-force operation near Cu Chi. His unit received intense fire from an enemy force concealed in well fortified bunkers. Sergeant Simpson moved through the bullet-swept area, positioning his men and calling in artillery fire upon the hostile positions. Disregarding his safety, he assaulted an enemy bunker. Although wounded as he began his attack, Sergeant Simpson continued through the communists' fusillade and completely destroyed the fortification. As he attempted to recover the body of a fallen comrade near another hostile emplacement, he was killed by enemy fire. Sergeant Simpson'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. 5469 (November 27, 1968)
  

Sincere, Clyde J., Jr.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Clyde J. Sincere, 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 Company B, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Captain Sincere distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions during the period 8 through 11 November 1966. His extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1219 (1967)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Clarence Sizemore, 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, 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry, 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. Sergeant Sizemore distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 May 1969 while in charge of a bridge security force near Landing Zone Liz at Duc Pho in Quang Ngai Province. In the early morning hours his position was attacked by a North Vietnamese platoon of sappers utilizing machine guns, small arms, and rocket-propelled grenades. Seeing that the communists had penetrated the defenses near the north end of the bridge, he raced over there, releasing bursts from his automatic weapon at the aggressors as he ran. After he had killed one enemy soldier and repelled the assault, he returned to the opposite end of the bridge to re-supply his ammunition, only to discover that a hostile force had overwhelmed several nearby bunkers. He rushed one of the captured fortifications, killed the occupant, and obtained rounds for his rifle. He was racing back toward the northern end when an enemy grenade detonated near him, spraying his legs with shrapnel. Noticing that the platoon radio-telephone operator lay helplessly wounded near the center of the bridge, and despite his own wounds, he crawled to the aid of the injured man. Sergeant Sizemore remained by his comrade as the ruthless assailants closed in from both sides. While attempting to hold the enemy at bay, he was mortally wounded by rifle fire. Sergeant Sizemore'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. 2672 (July 17, 1969)
  

*Skaggs, Lonnie G.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Lonnie G. Skaggs, 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, 28th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Specialist Four Skaggs distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 27 April 1967, near Ben Suc, Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Skaggs was serving as a machine gunner on a search and destroy mission when his company was suddenly engaged by a hostile force. Seeing that the point man was instantly wounded, Specialist Skaggs moved quickly to the front and engaged the enemy allowing the company medic to move to the wounded man's aid. Under the covering fire of Specialist Skaggs, the company began withdrawing to allow artillery and airstrikes on the hostile positions. Exhausting his supply of ammunition, Specialist Skaggs called for an additional supply. When he was resupplied, Specialist Skaggs moved forward and exposed himself to the heaviest enemy fire by standing on top of a bunker, and continued placing suppressive fire on the hostile forces until all wounded were evacuated and the entire company had withdrawn. When the artillery fire and air strikes were completed, the company started back to the battle area. Specialist Skaggs volunteered for point man on the return trip. Moving into the battle area, the company was again engaged with heavy automatic weapons fire and command-detonated Claymore mines. Four men were wounded in the first few moments from a well-emplaced Viet Cong machinegun. Realizing that the Viet Cot machinegun position had the wounded pinned down and also was keeping medics from giving aid, Specialist Skaggs immediately assaulted the Viet Cong position, continuously firing his machinegun. On the verge of overrunning the hostile position, Specialist Skaggs was mortally wounded. Before succumbing to his wounds, Specialist Skaggs thrust his machinegun forward in such a manner as to insure it would continue to fire on the hostile position until the supply of ammunition was exhausted. This final heroic act resulted in the complete elimination of the Viet Cong position, enabled the friendly forces to evacuate the wounded without sustaining heavier casualties and undoubtedly saved the lives of many men of Company A. Specialist Skagg's extraordinary heroism and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself, and the Armed Forces of his country.

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  Department of the Army, General Orders No. 38 (July 31, 1968)
  

*Smith, Avery Gene

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Avery Gene Smith, 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 Troop A, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division. Private First Class Smith distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 8 June 1966 while serving as tank loader on an armored convoy during a combat operations along Highway 13. While moving toward their objective, Private First Class Smith's column of armored vehicles was ambushed by a large Viet Cong force. Private First Class Smith unhesitatingly climbed outside to the exposed rear of the tank and began delivering suppressive fire upon the onrushing Viet Cong. Throughout the heaviest fighting of the engagement, he remained at this unprotected position and repelled the assaulting insurgents at point-blank range. During the course of action, Private First Class Smith was wounded in the face by shrapnel. Despite the severity of his wound, he remained at this self-appointed post and continued to protect his tank and other nearby vehicles. At one point during the battle, when the tank's main gun and machine guns were inoperable, Private First Class Smith's efforts alone prevented the vehicle from being overrun by the numerically superior Viet Cong force. When his tank received its fourth direct hit from Viet Cong fire, Private First Class Smith absorbed the brunt of the explosion and was mortally wounded. 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.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 5964 (October 7, 1966)
  

*Smith, Jack Rae

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Jack Rae Smith, 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, 2d Battalion, 12th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Smith distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 March 1970 while on a sweep mission in Binh Duong Province. Specialist Smith was providing forward security for his patrol when an intense barrage of hostile fire was directed at the group from a nearby enemy element. From his forward position, Specialist Smith placed suppressive fire on the enemy that enabled his comrades to move forward. As his comrades neared his position, an enemy grenade landed a few feet from Specialist Smith. Without hesitation, he seized the grenade and attempted to hurl it back toward the enemy soldiers. However, before he could release the grenade, it detonated in his hand, mortally wounding him. Although Specialist Smith forfeited his own life, he successfully shielded his nearby comrades from the deadly shrapnel and prevented any additional loss of life. Specialist Four Smith'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.