Compiled and Edited By C. Douglas Sterner

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 929 (February 29, 1968)
  

Home Town: Hood River, Oregon

Delavan, Patrick N.

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Patrick N. Delavan, Major (Transportation Corps), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism on 4 April 1964 in connection with military operations involving conflict with an opposing force in the Republic of Vietnam. Major Delavan was serving as a Helicopter Company Commander and leading eight armed helicopters on a mission to provide support to a Vietnamese ground force under heavy attack when he encountered the hostile battalion which had overpowered a strategic hamlet and had the remaining friendly forces surrounded. As the support force arrived in the combat zone and was met with a great volume of enemy automatic and small arms fire, Major Delavan completely disregarded his own personal safety, ordered the other helicopters to stay out of range, and bravely placed his aircraft in the most precarious positions to estimate the tactical situation. Then, with fortitude and professional skill, he led five separate helicopter maneuvers against the insurgents which neutralized part of the enemy force. After he refueled his aircraft and returned to lead the second operation, the enemy had set up a 50 caliber machinegun as an antiaircraft weapon. Major Delavan then undauntedly elected to approach the area alone instead of sending in an unarmed medical evacuation aircraft when a seriously wounded American ground advisor with the besieged Vietnamese unit requested medical evacuation. Although his helicopter was damaged by the 50 caliber gun fire which wounded him and three crew members, he continued the approach, landed in view of the enemy and, ignoring his own injury, personally loaded the casualty. After transferring the wounded advisor to the medical evacuation aircraft, he courageously returned to the scene of action and directed the support operations. Through his decisive leadership, determination, and brave actions, the company of the armed forces of the Republic of Vietnam was saved from annihilation. Major Delavan's gallantry and extraordinary heroic conduct are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

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  Department of the Army, General Orders No. 2 (February 5, 1965)
  

Deleo, Joseph D.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Joseph D. Deleo, 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, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 3d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Specialist Four Deleo distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 July 1968 while serving as a medic on a reconnaissance patrol near Hue. His platoon came under intense hostile fire from a well entrenched enemy force. One man was seriously wounded and lay in the open only twenty meters to the front of a hostile automatic weapons emplacement. attempts to rescue the man by other members of the unit were unsuccessful. With complete disregard for his safety, Specialist Deleo advanced twenty-five meters through a hail of enemy fire to his injured comrade and administered first aid. A rocket then exploded to his rear, seriously wounding another man. Specialist Deleo unhesitantly moved through the continuing fusillade to the second casualty, treated his wounds and supervised his evacuation. Almost immediately another cry for a medic came, this time to assist a soldier who had tried to extract the first casualty and was wounded only a few feet from him. As Specialist Deleo neared the position occupied by the two men, the enemy suddenly unleashed a particularly savage barrage on their location. He sprang forward, pulled the two soldiers close together and covered them with his body. He was hit in both legs and in the hand by the murderous fire, completely immobilizing him. Later, member of his element overran the aggressors and evacuated all three wounded men. Specialist Four Deleo'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. 5218 (November 10, 1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Jack Taylor Dempsey, Colonel (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with 13th Combat Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Brigade. Colonel Dempsey distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 26 March 1967 while flying in support of an airmobile assault near Tam Binh. As Commander of the 13th Aviation Battalion, Colonel Dempsey was observing the progress of one of his units conducting an airlift of Vietnamese troops into a besieged landing zone. Enemy fire around the ravaged area was devastating, and one of the troop helicopters was shot down during the first lift. As a medevac aircraft attempted to effect a rescue, it was also hit and crashed. Unmindful of the extreme dangers, Colonel Dempsey dauntlessly chose to go to the aid of the downed crews himself. He radioed for gunships to provide support and, disregarding the advise of his mission commander, started the treacherous approach. Flying under the cover of an air strike, Colonel Dempsey fearlessly ordered his pilot to dive through the hail of Viet Cong bullets. Despite the hostile fire that was hitting the helicopter, he would not be deterred from his mission. Even when the downed crews waved him off, Colonel Dempsey ignored their warning and flew on into the landing zone. In this gallant effort to save his men, he was fatally wounded when hostile fire raked the helicopter just before landing. His unimpeachable valor and profound concern for the welfare of others will serve as a source of lasting inspiration to all those who knew him. Colonel Dempsey'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. 1633 (April 12, 1967)
  

Dempsey, Michael O.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Michael O. Dempsey, 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, 2d Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Dempsey distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 5 September 1968 as a team leader during a reconnaissance-in-force mission near Can Giuoc, Long An Province. As his company entered a woodline, the point element was suddenly hit by intense automatic weapons fire and one man fell wounded directly in front of an enemy bunker. Immediately volunteering to rescue the casualty, Specialist Dempsey led four comrades toward the hostile emplacement. They were halted by intense automatic weapons fire and entered the woodline to flank the enemy stronghold. Coming upon a second bunker, Specialist Dempsey unhesitatingly charged it and threw a grenade which killed both its occupants. When two more bunkers were spotted, he returned with his team to the platoon's position and informed his platoon leader of the additional hostile locations. Artillery fire was quickly plotted but could not be employed because of the wounded man's proximity to the bunkers. With only tall grass to conceal his movements, Specialist Dempsey crawled alone to within a few feet of the communists and found that the man was dead. After returning to his platoon's position, he came back with a rope which he attached to the dead man's web gear, enabling his comrades to pull the body to safety. Specialist Four Dempsey'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. 1083 (March 31, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Stanley George Denisowski, 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, 12th Infantry, 2d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Denisowski distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 10 October 1968 as a team leader during a reconnaissance-in-force mission near Cu Chi. Specialist Denisowski's company came under heavy small arms and automatic weapons fire from a fortified Viet Cong base camp. During the initial barrage, the point man was wounded in an open, unprotected field. Specialist Denisowski quickly deployed his fire team to a location from which effective covering fire could be rendered while his squad leader attempted to rescue the wounded man. Ignoring a hail of bullets, he then maneuvered across the field and placed accurate and effective fire on the communists which permitted his stricken comrade to be evacuated. Wounded in the leg during the exchange of fire, Specialist Denisowski ignored shouts from his comrades to withdraw and continued to defend his position, inflicting heavy casualties on the Viet Cong until he was mortally wounded by the hostile fusillade. Specialist Four Denisowski'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. 420 (February 6, 1969)
  

Dennard, Danny

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Danny Dennard, 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 Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 502d Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). Specialist Five Dennard distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 10 March 1968 as a medic with a recondo force near Hue. When contact was made, Specialist Dennard raced through the bullet-swept terrain, crossing the enemy's field of fire, to treat and evacuate two wounded comrades. Returning to the battle after taking them to the landing zone, he maneuvered to within fifty meters of the hostile trench line and evacuated to within fifty meters of the hostile trench line and evacuated four more casualties. Carrying an ammunition resupply on his way back to the contested area, he saw another wounded trooper. While attempting to get to the man, Specialist Dennard was knocked to the ground by an enemy grenade and wounded in the head. Disregarding his wound, he rushed to the man's side and treated him before tending his own injury. He then continued to the front lines to distribute the desperately needed ammunition. When another soldier was wounded during an effort to recover the bodies of two men who had been killed by enemy fire, Specialist Dennard fearlessly exposed himself to the communist' barrage to treat him and bring him to safety. A second assault was attempted and another man was wounded. He rescued his stricken comrade and carried him three hundred meters to the evacuation site, also helping a casualty whom he discovered along the way. Specialist Dennard then joined in a third assault, which again proved futile and produced another casualty. After treating the man he took part in a final charge which overran the enemy fortifications. Knowing that if he allowed himself to be evacuated his unit would be left without a medic, he refused to board the ambulance helicopter and remained with his comrades at their night position, going without treatment until the following morning. Specialist Five Dennard'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. 513 (February 13, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William Herman Denney, 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 D, 2d Battalion, 199th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light). Captain Denney distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 2 February 1969 while leading his company in an attack on enemy troops occupying a well-concealed, fortified bunker complex in the vicinity of Phu Hoa Dong, approximately nine miles northeast of Cu Chi. Throughout the day, Captain Denney repeatedly exposed himself to the hostile fire as he moved about the battlefield to direct and encourage his men, frequently spearheading assaults and destroying several bunkers single-handedly. Seeing an element of his company pinned down by automatic weapons fire, he ran through a hail of bullets to a machine gun crew and led it to a position where suppressive fire could be delivered. When one of his soldiers was wounded during an assault, he braved the communists' barrage to rescue the man, but was struck by hostile machine gun fire and fell backwards into a ditch. Leaving the protection of the ditch, he again tried to reach the casualty and was mortally wounded by the enemy fusillade. Captain Denney'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. 1422 (April 23, 1969)
  

*Dent, William Lorance

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William Lorance Dent, 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, 1st Battalion, 502d Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). First Lieutenant Dent distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 March 1969 while conducting a reconnaissance-in-force mission near the A Shau Valley in the province of Thua Thien. As his company moved along a mountain ridge, the point element encountered hostile sniper fire. He at once set up a defensive formation, ordering two machine guns to be brought forward. Suddenly the enemy opened fire with automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenades, and small arms. Lieutenant Dent moved out under the intense fusillade to retrieve several casualties. When a machine gunner fell wounded, he manned the weapon, providing suppressive fire as he directed his men to move back. He operated the machine gun until it malfunctioned. Then he grabbed his M-16 rifle and continued to deliver lethal volleys on the enemy, until he was wounded in the head. Having supervised the withdrawal of his men to safety, he followed but was wounded again. Only after all of his men had reached a secure position, he relinquished command and later succumbed to his wounds. First Lieutenant Dent'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. 2284 (June 27, 1969)
  

Dentinger, David D.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to David D. Dentinger, 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, 12th Cavalry, 2d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Specialist Four Dentinger distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 February 1968 while leading a squad against four heavily fortified North Vietnamese Army bunkers near the city of Hue. Two of the positions were successfully destroyed, but the remaining fortifications continued to pour an intense volume of fire on Specialist Dentinger and his men. He and another soldier advanced to cover afforded by a partially destroyed house to come within close range of the enemy. When his comrade attempted to throw a white phosphorous grenade through a window in the building at the communists' positions, he was severely wounded by sniper fire and fell senseless to the floor. The armed grenade landed beside him. Unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own life, Specialist Dentinger dove toward the live grenade. Grasping it in his hand, he rolled over to an opening in the wall and threw the deadly missile toward the bunker. As he released the grenade it detonated, critically burning him. His quick action, however, caused the primary force of the explosion to be outside the building, and his wounded comrade was not harmed by the blast. Specialist Four Dentinger'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. 5429 (November 24, 1969)
  

(Second Award)

The Distinguished Service Cross (First Oak Leaf Cluster) is presented to William E. DePuy, Major General, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division. Major General DePuy distinguished himself by repeated exceptionally valorous actions during the period 4 November 1966 to 16 November 1966 while serving as Commanding General, 1st Infantry Division. On 4 November during Operation ATTLEBORO, General DePuy flew to the sites of two large-scale armed clashes between U.S. Forces and numerically superior Viet Cong Forces. With complete disregard for his own safety, he repeatedly braved intense hostile fire to observe the disposition of the battle, to direct the tactical moves necessary to outmaneuver the enemy and to solidify friendly positions. On 5 November he assumed command of Operation ATTLEBORO which involved eighteen U.S. combat battalions and five ARVN battalions. Throughout the period of this operation General DePuy performed repeated heroic acts. On 7 November, ignoring the dangers of landing in the middle of a pitched battle, General DePuy personally picked up a captured enemy prisoner and flew him to a battalion command post for immediate interrogation. This act proved invaluable as the information gleaned from the prisoner revealed the battle plan of the enemy and enabled U.S. Forces to maneuver and catch the Viet Cong off guard at the inception of a major campaign. His command of the operation, both from his command and control helicopter and on the ground, involved frequent exposure to hostile fire. He repeatedly made numerous low-level passes through intense hostile fire to direct the battle, to gain first-hand knowledge of the disposition of enemy and friendly forces and to observe the progress of the battle. This enabled him to make tactical decisions which resulted in Operation ATTLEBORO becoming one of the major victories of the counterinsurgency efforts in the Republic of Vietnam. Major General DePuy'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. 588 (February 7, 1967)
  

Dettman, Douglas A.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Douglas A. Dettman, 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, 3d Battalion, 8th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. Private First Class Dettman distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 9 and 11 November 1967 while serving as medical aidman of an infantry company on a search and destroy operation near Dak To. On 9 November the company was savagely attacked by a large North Vietnamese Army force and sustained several casualties in the initial moments of the fight. The wounded were trapped in the open, and Private Dettman completely disregarded his personal safety to move through a fierce curtain of fire and reach his fallen comrades. He ignored hostile bullets striking all around him and went from man to man to skillfully administer aid throughout the duration of the battle. On 11 November the company again became heavily engaged with the enemy and received numerous casualties as the battle progressed. One platoon was particularly hit hard, and Private Dettman courageously went to their aid. After crawling fifty meters through intense machine gun and mortar fire to the unit's position, he quickly began treating the wounded. An enemy mortar round burst nearby and seriously wounded him, but he continued applying his lifesaving skills. His fearless actions and selfless devotion to the welfare of his fellow soldiers were responsible for saving several soldiers in the heat of the battle. Private First Class Dettman'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. 746 (February 19, 1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Gerard M. Devlin, 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 American Advisor to the 44th Ranger Battalion, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Devlin distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 13 and 14 October 1965. 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, Pacific, General Orders No. 346 (1965)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Herbert J. Dexter, Major (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. On 18 September 1965, Major Dexter, the S3 Officer of the 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, was accompanying his battalion on a search and destroy mission in the vicinity of Binh Khe, Republic of Vietnam. The battalion was airlifted to the operational area and upon arriving encountered increasingly heavy hostile fire from various insurgent positions. A friendly platoon, which had landed in a previous life, was forced to withdraw from a tactically important hill along the landing zone perimeter. Realizing the importance of the hill as a defensive position, Major Dexter, with complete disregard for his personal safety, voluntarily rushed to the now heavily infested hostile area and successfully reorganized the friendly forces positioned there. He quickly issued competent instructions and personally led the left flank element up the hill, despite the intense hostile small arms and mortar fire being directed at the platoon. While securing the crest, Major Dexter personally killed two insurgents who were at a deadly close range and sustained a leg wound from the murderous Viet Cong fire. Realizing that his leadership and encouragement were needed to inspire the members of the besieged platoon to hold the hill position, Major Dexter, although in great pain from his wound, continually refused to be evacuated. As the battle raged on, he was mortally wounded. Major Dexter'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.