Compiled and Edited By C. Douglas Sterner

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  HQ US Army, Pacific, General Orders No. 42 (February 28, 1966)
  

Ferguson, Kenneth D.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Kenneth D. Ferguson, 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, while serving as American Advisor with Provisional Reconnaissance Unit and Revolutionary Development Cadres, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. Major Ferguson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 January 1968. 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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  Department of the Army, General Orders No. 15 (March 30, 1972)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William Glen Ferguson, 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 Company A, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Sergeant First Class Ferguson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 13 August 1967 while serving as platoon leader of a Mobile Guerilla Task Force on a combat mission deep in hostile territory. When another company of the same unit came under attack from a numerically superior Viet Cong force, Sergeant Ferguson immediately volunteered to lead his men to their aid. Upon reaching the scene of the battle, he moved freely among his men directing their assault although exposed to withering automatic weapons fire. An enemy grenade seriously wounded him as he attacked a hostile position, but he refused medical aid and continued to press the offensive. With complete disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Ferguson directed deadly fire on the insurgents and hurled numerous grenades into their positions. He moved openly through the bullet-swept area time after time to inspire his men to greater efforts. He was mortally wounded while leading his men with dauntless courage in the face of grave danger. Sergeant First Class Ferguson'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. 4466 (September 1, 1967)
  

*Fergusson, Robert C. L.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Robert C. L. Fergusson, First Lieutenant (Artillery), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2d Battalion, 320th Artillery, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. First Lieutenant Fergusson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 8 October 1967 while serving as artillery forward observer for an infantry company on a search and destroy mission near Tam Ky. While moving near a dry rice paddy, one platoon of his company was savagely attacked and pinned down by a reinforced North Vietnamese company firing automatic weapons, rockets, and mortars. The fierce attack inflicted heavy casualties on the friendly force, but Lieutenant Fergusson ignored his own safety and moved to relieve the hostile pressure on the beleaguered unit. The enemy soldiers were overrunning the friendly positions when his platoon arrived, but he braved withering fire and fought furiously to regain the positions. He moved into the open to adjust artillery fire on the advancing enemy and treat the wounds of nearby comrades. He assumed command when the other officers were seriously wounded. He was wounded himself while moving among his men to rally them and direct their fire against the determined onslaught, but refused medical aid. He detected several enemy soldiers attempting to capture the wounded company commander and raced through the savage hostile fire to drive them off. He was seriously wounded again but succeeded in repelling the determined Viet Cong with a deadly volume of fire. Although unable to fight on himself because of his wounds, his aggressive leadership inspired his men to fight gallantly until a relief force arrived and routed the enemy after inflicting heavy casualties upon them in a fierce battle. First Lieutenant Fergusson'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. 5862 (November 13, 1967)
  

*Fesken, William P.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William P. Fesken, 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, 3d Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Private First Class Fesken distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 2 May 1967 while serving as squad leader during combat with a numerically superior Viet Cong force near Ap Bac. Private Fesken led his squad as point element on his company's right flank. As his men advanced, insurgents struck with a tremendous barrage of machine gun, rifle, and grenade fire, leaving only Private Fesken unwounded. After pinning the friendly squad down, the Viet Cong assaulted the squad and attempted to overrun it. Private Fesken refused to withdraw and poured such a volume of fire into their ranks that they retreated. On a second attack, he again stood his ground, driving them off with grenade fire. When the insurgents attempted a third attack, Private Fesken killed two Viet Cong with a grenade and other in hand-to-hand combat. Anticipating further assaults, he crept forward to place a claymore mine in the path of the enemy. While he was mounting the firing device, however, Private Fesken was mortally wounded. Because of his valiant, selfless attempts to protect his fallen comrades, the right flank of the friendly company withstood the hostile assaults. Private First Class Fesken'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. 2280 (May 21, 1967)
  

Fiack, Paul

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Paul Fiack, 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 Detachment A-415, Company D, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. First Lieutenant Fiack distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 4 November 1969 while serving as senior advisor to a company of Vietnamese civilian irregulars during operations near Chau Kem Caves in the Seven Mountains region of Chau Doc Province. After pounding the irregulars with over two hundred mortar and rocket rounds, two companies of North Vietnamese troops stormed the allies' night positions. Before the enemy bombardment had ceased, Lieutenant Fiack made his way through the hail of fire among his men readying them for the expected ground attack. Although inflicted with multiple fragmentation wounds in the hour and a half barrage, Lieutenant Fiack maintained his position and effectively employed his radio to direct tactical air strikes against the onrushing enemy. Shortly after, another rocket impacted near Lieutenant Fiack's position, wounding him again and destroying his radio. Ignoring his wounds, he immediately secured another radio and continued directing support helicopter gunships and fighter bombers to hostile targets. When the enemy fell back under heavy bombing, Lieutenant Fiack quickly arranged for helicopter ambulances to evacuate his wounded. He carried the assistant advisor, who had suffered critical wounds, to an emergency landing zone. The evacuation helicopter came under heavy ground fire, however, and taking many hits, was forces to lift off without the wounded. Lieutenant Fiack then struggled back to his command post carrying his comrade over the treacherous mountain terrain through persistent enemy sniper fire. When night fell, Lieutenant Fiack began moving his battered force down the mountain toward a prearranged landing zone. Although weakened considerably by his wounds, he took charge of his comrade and carried him down the mountain slope under continuous sniper fire. At one point in their downhill trek, both advisors were again severely wounded when an enemy grenade exploded just feet from them. With uncommon perseverance and devotion to his fellow soldier, Lieutenant Fiack trudged on to the pickup site with his comrade. Once there, he continued to direct air strikes on the advancing enemy until he was persuaded to permit himself to be evacuated. First Lieutenant Fiack'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. 1292 (May 21, 1970)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Elija Fields, 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 Company B, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade. Sergeant First Class Fields distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 8 February 1967 while serving as platoon leader during his company's mission to secure a new helicopter landing zone in War Zone D. As the company moved through thick jungle, it was struck suddenly by intense fire from a well entrenched Viet Cong force. Several men were wounded, and the order was given to withdraw. When it was discovered that a severely wounded man lay only ten feet from a hostile emplacement and was unable to move, several attempts were made to save his life. However the insurgents had control of the fields of fire and every attempt was to no avail. At this point, Sergeant Fields volunteered to make the rescue. Having directed his men to place continuous machine gun fire just above him, he crawled and ran to the wounded man's position. He then located and killed the insurgent manning the closest weapon. Disregarding the hostile fire that was still striking all around him, Sergeant Fields rolled the casualty onto a poncho and dragged him to safety. By his calm, clearheaded actions while under intense fire, he saved the life of a wounded comrade who was in critical danger. Platoon Sergeant Fields' 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. 4454 (September 1, 1967)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Lloyd Fields, Jr., 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. On 13 April 1966, Sergeant Fields was serving as Lead Scout, Troop E, 17th Cavalry, 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate), while on the assigned mission of clearing an important road ten miles northwest of Song Be. In the early part of the day, the platoon encountered hostile forces resulting in the destruction of several insurgent sniper nests and breaking up of one Viet Cong ambush. As he started up a small hill, Sergeant Fields spotted several Viet Cong in a position for a carefully planned ambush. He immediately fired on them and while his men were moving up to his position they were pinned down by heavy automatic and small arms fire. Realizing that his men could not move until the closest insurgent machine gun was put out of action, Sergeant Fields, without regard for his own personal safety, stood up and shouted for his comrades to cover him while he assaulted and destroyed the machine gun crew and suppressed much of the small arms fire which enabled his men to catch up with him. Again attempting to move up on the Viet Cong, Sergeant Fields was mortally wounded by a sniper. Sergeant Fields' 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, Pacific, General Orders No. 219 (September 12, 1966)
  

*Figueroa-Melendez, Efrain

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Efrain Figueroa-Melendez, 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 D, 3d Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Staff Sergeant Figueroa-Melendez distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 5 March 1969 while on a mission to recover several wounded soldiers from an enemy-infiltrated area west of Kontum. En route to the objective area, his company encountered hostile machine gun and small arms fire and were pinned down. In order to withdraw and regroup successfully, Sergeant Figueroa-Melendez moved forward and laid a devastating suppressive barrage on the enemy bunkers. Three times he purposely drew communist volleys on himself to permit his men to draw back to protected positions. Noticing a wounded soldier dangerously exposed and unable to move, Sergeant Figueroa-Melendez maneuvered to the downed man and proceeded to administer medical aid. Then, when he attempted to evacuate the casualty, he was struck by sniper fire and killed. Staff Sergeant Figueroa-Melendez'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. 2464 (September 8, 1969)
  

Fitzpatrick, James M.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James M. Fitzpatrick, 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, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Fitzpatrick distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 23 December 1968 while serving as a driver on a re-supply mission near Vinh Kim. A numerically superior enemy force armed with rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons ambushed his vehicle, killing one man and wounding the others. Ignoring his own injuries, Specialist Fitzpatrick pulled eleven wounded men from his vehicle, through the raking hostile fire, to a ditch which protected them from further harm. He then moved among his comrades, treating their wounds and organizing those who were able to fight the aggressors. After skillfully applying tourniquets to three men who were in danger of bleeding to death, he ran to his truck and radioed for help. Because of a severe ear injury he was unable to hear, but he stayed in the exposed position and repeated the message to insure it was being transmitted. Observing that the communists had increased their fire and were preventing another man from administering first aid, he stood up in full view of the enemy and engaged them with his pistol. When help arrived, he refused treatment for his wounds and continued to assist other casualties. Specialist Four Fitzpatrick'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. 738 (March 3, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Larry D. Fleener, 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, 508th Infantry, 3d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division. First Lieutenant Fleener distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 26 August 1968 as a platoon leader during a search and destroy operation in Nam Hoa District, Thua Thien Province. When his company became pinned down by intense mortar, rocket, small arms and automatic weapons fire from well-entrenched, numerically superior North Vietnamese Army troops, Lieutenant Fleener led his platoon in an envelopment of the enemy. Despite steep, rocky terrain covered with thick underbrush and sniper fire which wounded four more of his men, he succeeded in maneuvering to the rear of the hostile positions. His force was discovered by an enemy security element and began to receive a heavy automatic weapons barrage. Reacting immediately, Lieutenant Fleener directed rifle fire on the security element and, closing on the nearest bunker with two other men, silenced it with two hand grenades. Led by their valiant commander, who demolished three additional bunkers single-handedly, the platoon systematically destroyed fortification after fortification. His heroism permitted the remainder of the company to sweep forward and annihilate the North Vietnamese. First Lieutenant Fleener'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. 1245 (April 10, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Larry A. Fletcher, 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, 502d Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Staff Sergeant Fletcher distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 29 September 1967 while serving as platoon leader of an airborne infantry company on a search and destroy operation near Chu Lai. The company's forward platoons were savagely attacked and pinned down by a large Viet Cong force, and Sergeant Fletcher immediately led his men forward to reinforce the embattled elements. After advancing five hundred meters, his force came under a murderous enemy barrage from sell-concealed bunkers to the front. Completely disregarding his personal safety, Sergeant Fletcher, accompanied by one of his squad leaders, attacked the hostile emplacements with rifles and grenades. Enemy grenades landed all around him as the assaulted, but he refused to take cover, picked up the grenades, and hurled them into the insurgents' bunkers. Fighting his way through a withering hail of bullets, he succeeded in destroying four fortifications. As he again led his men forward, they were hit a second time by intense automatic weapons fire from the front. Once more ignoring his welfare, Sergeant Fletcher charged the enemy position. Despite bullets striking all around him, he reached hand grenade range and destroyed the hostile bunker with a deadly throw. As they neared the trapped platoons, his troops came under heavy fire a third time. Armed with enemy grenades captured earlier, Sergeant Fletcher and his squad leader assaulted the last bunker complex through a curtain of fire. Maneuvering from bunker to bunker while the Viet Cong concentrated fire on him, Sergeant Fletcher demolished four positions with grenade and rifle fire and forced the remaining enemy to flee the battlefield. His fearless actions in the heat of battle resulted in the destruction of nine bunkers and the elimination of eighteen enemy soldiers. Staff Sergeant Fletcher'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. 886 (February 27, 1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Harold V. Floody, Jr., Captain (Artillery), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Battery B, 4th Battalion, 42d Artillery, 2d Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. Captain Floody distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions from 11 to 13 November 1966 while commanding a battery of the 42d Artillery supporting an engaged infantry battalion. After being helilifted into a landing zone with an advance reconnaissance team on 11 November, Captain Floody saw another helicopter shot down by nearby enemy emplacements. Unmindful of the danger, he dauntlessly exposed himself to direct the landing of two howitzers, and immediately engaged the hostile positions, knocking them out of action. Despite sporadic enemy attacks during the next day, he coordinated the establishment of the artillery fire base and the infantry command post. Early that night, the base suddenly came under intense mortar attack from a reinforced North Vietnamese battalion. When the initial barrage disrupted communications, Captain Floody left his covered position and ran through the exploding mortar rounds to the command post. Determining the location of the hostile positions, he fearlessly charged back across the ravaged area to his battery and began directing the return fire. Contemptuous of the fierce enemy attack, Captain Floody moved among his howitzers, encouraging the crews, redistributing ammunition, and organizing the treatment of the casualties. Seriously wounded twice in the back by shrapnel, he ignored the extreme pain and continued to direct the defense throughout the remainder of the thirteen-hour battle. His unrelenting courage and inspiring example enabled his men to hold their positions against overwhelming odds and inflict heavy casualties on the fanatic enemy. Captain Floody'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. 1377 (March 27, 1967)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Alvin Winslow Floyd, 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 Company F, 75th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Sergeant First Class Floyd distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 2 April 1970. 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.