Compiled and Edited By C. Douglas Sterner

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3244 (1970)
  

*Floyd, Robert Gene

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Robert Gene Floyd, 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, 3d Battalion, 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade. Specialist Four Floyd distinguished himself while serving as a member of a night offensive position in Phu Yen Province. During the late evening hours of 31 March 1970, specialist Floyd and his squad were positioned outside a small Vietnamese village when they were attacked by a numerically superior force of enemy soldiers. During the initial attack, the friendly machine gun position was heavily damaged by the enemy fire. Specialist Floyd disregarded the devastating enemy fire to run to the aid of the disabled machine gun crew. After administering to the wounded crew, Specialist Floyd carried the machine gun to the heaviest point of enemy contact. From his exposed position, Specialist Floyd placed devastating fire on the enemy elements forcing them to retreat. The enemy regrouped and launched a second attack and advanced to within thirty meters of Specialist Floyd's position. However, the determined defensive fire of Specialist Floyd and his comrades again repulsed the enemy. The enemy regrouped and launched a third attack on the position from a different direction. Specialist Floyd moved through the intense enemy fire again to position his machine gun at the heaviest point of enemy contact. As his comrades fell wounded beside him, Specialist Floyd refused to withdraw. He continued placing devastating machine gun fire on the enemy until he was killed instantly by a barrage of enemy rocket fire. Specialist Floyd'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. 2067 (June 26, 1970)
  

*Fontaine, Michael Arthur

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Michael Arthur Fontaine, 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 (Airmobile), 7th Cavalry, 3d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Specialist Four Fontaine distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 10 January 1969 as a medic during a search and clear mission northeast of Quan Loi. His company made contact with an estimated reinforced company sized North Vietnamese Army force which was concealed in the underbrush and was armed with rockets, mortars, and both semiautomatic and automatic weapons. Repeatedly exposing himself to the hostile fire, Specialist Fontaine treated the members of his platoon who were wounded and brought them to a central location where they could be evacuated. When the communists launched a massive ground assault, he fearlessly moved to the area of the fiercest fighting and continued to care for his suffering comrades. Suddenly a enemy mortar round exploded near an automatic weapon position, wounding three soldiers. Despite the heavy concentration of hostile fire directed at the site, he rushed forward to their aid. After he had bandaged two of the men and was nearing the third, the aggressors' fire suddenly intensified. Specialist Fontaine threw himself on the man to protect him and was mortally wounded by the enemy fusillade, but saved the life of his stricken comrade. Specialist Four Fontaine'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. 1413 (April 23, 1969)
  

Ford, Ruben H.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Ruben H. Ford, 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 Military Advisory Detachment, 23d Infantry Division, United States Army Advisory Group, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Ford distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 15 August 1967 as assistant operations advisor to an armored unit on a reaction mission in the hamlet of Vinh Phu. His unit was called upon to reinforce an infantry unit engaged in combat with a North Vietnamese Army battalion. Arriving at the raging battlefield, Sergeant Ford's armored personnel carrier was subjected to intense enemy automatic weapons, recoilless rifle, rocket and mortar fire. Although seriously wounded by the fusillade, he fearlessly continued to expose himself to the savage barrage to maintain the momentum of his unit's attack. Unhesitatingly moving into the area of heaviest contact, Sergeant Ford pinpointed North Vietnamese troop concentration and crew-served weapons, enabling accurate air strikes and artillery fire to be placed on the enemy positions. His personnel carrier received a direct hit from a recoilless rifle, wounding half of the crew members. Heedless of the relentless attack directed to his disabled vehicle, he manned one of his mounted machine guns and raked advancing North Vietnamese soldiers with a deadly hail of bullets. Refusing medical attention for himself, Sergeant Ford administered skillful first aid to his wounded comrades and supervised their evacuation. He then continued to brave withering enemy fire to load machine guns and place fierce fire on the hostile force until the remaining crew members had withdrawn to defensive positions. His gallant and inspiring leadership in the head of battle saved the lives of many fellow soldiers. Staff Sergeant Ford'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. 2649 (June 1, 1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James Lee Foreman, 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 B, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. Sergeant Foreman distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 18 May 1967 while serving as squad leader of a weapons platoon during a search and destroy mission in Pleiku Province. Sergeant Foreman's platoon was sent forward of his company to provide security for the main force. As the unit was passing through a small river draw, Viet Cong opened fire from all sides. During the ensuing battle, Sergeant Foreman began seeking the hostile emplacements most dangerous to his men. Spotting an enemy machine gun, he used only the cover of small trees to move in on the weapon, then rushed into an open area and threw two grenades into the position, silencing it. Continuing on, he attempted to cross a small stream, but was hit in the thigh. Nevertheless, he crawled downstream through sniper fire and succeeded in making it to the other side. Again using only light cover, he moved up to a position which revealed three Viet Cong machine guns in a heavily constructed bunker. Sergeant Foreman scored a direct hit with an antitank weapon and demolished that hostile position. He then returned to his men, giving them encouragement and treating the wounded, although ignoring his own wound. In an attempt to overrun his squad, the insurgents wounded the radio operator who lay forward of the friendly perimeter. Sergeant Foreman immediately moved from his position to get him. In this attempt to save his comrade, he was mortally wounded by intense sniper fire. Sergeant Foreman'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. 3827 (July 26, 1967)
  

Fraker, William W.

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  HQ US Army, Pacific, General Orders No. 310 (October 22, 1965)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Eugene Delano Franklin, 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. On 24 June 1965, Captain Franklin was serving as Senior Advisor to the 1st Battalion, 45th Infantry Regiment, 23d Infantry Division, army of the Republic of Vietnam, whose mission was to locate and destroy a hostile contingent which had earlier seized a civilian convoy. As the 1st battalion proceeded in convoy along National Highway 21, they were ambushed by a well-concealed and strategically located Viet Cong unit which had secured control of over two miles of the highway and neighboring terrain. Immediately upon receiving the initial barrage of hostile mortar, automatic weapons, and small arms fire, Captain Franklin, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, moved forward to locate hostile positions and evaluate the over-all situation. After personally accounting for the destruction of two insurgent positions, he moved among the friendly troops, giving advice, encouragement, and accurate fire direction guidance. After achieving a stabilization of his forces, Captain Franklin rallied the embattled battalion to move forward, take the offensive, and dislodge the hostile force from their tactically superior positions. As Captain Franklin moved forward with the maneuver elements of the attacking friendly force, he was mortally wounded by a hail of hostile fire which had been directed towards his advanced position for more than forty-five minutes. Captain Franklin's extraordinary heroism, gallantry in action, and supreme sacrifice were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

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  HQ US Army, Pacific, General Orders No. 255 (August 11, 1965)
  

*Franklin, James Anthony

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James Anthony Franklin, 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, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Franklin distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 12 March 1969 while serving as assistant leader of a point team on a reconnaissance patrol near Polei Kleng. The team was ascending a ridge when suddenly assaulted by a force of North Vietnamese regulars. The assailants were quickly overcome, but snipers in trees and holes along the ridge continued to place harassing fire upon the company's main force to the team's rear and forced it to withdraw, leaving the point team isolated. Several hours later the team began to move back to regain contact with the company. They came upon a bunker and tunnel complex and flushed out what resistance they met. Heavy sniper fire then descended upon them. They hastily scattered, pursued by streams of machine gun fire. Specialist Franklin dived into a foxhole and was followed by the team leader. The two leaders had completely lost contact with their fellow team members. Impacting rockets and machine gun fire restricted their movement. They hurled grenades at the machine gun and eliminated its suppressive fire. Together they crawled to the quieted machine gun emplacement and from there overcame three more enemy. The two men then took foot for their unit, but were again blocked by machine gun and small arms fire. They pitched grenades on the machine gun and silenced it, but enemy riflemen continued to harass them. Specialist Franklin was pinned down and severely wounded in the knee. Ignoring his wound, he radioed in and accurately adjusted helicopter gunship fire on the harassing riflemen. At dusk, he and his comrade resumed their frustrated withdrawal, the team leader carrying Specialist Franklin until exhausted. After resting they pressed on, the exhausted team leader plodding along in front and Specialist Franklin crawling slowly behind. They covered some distance and were suddenly met with bursts of small arms fire and exploding grenades from a nearby bunker. Seeing that his comrade had been temporarily blinded by the grenade flashes, Specialist Franklin crawled unnoticed up to the enemy bunker and unleashed his last grenade. The ensuing blast wounded him severely. Knowing that there was nothing his comrade could to for him, he selflessly encouraged the soldier to return to the unit and safety. Specialist Four Franklin'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. 3299 (August 26, 1969)
  

*Freppon, John Dennis

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John Dennis Freppon, 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 E, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry, 2d Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. Staff Sergeant (then Sergeant) Freppon distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 2 February 1969 as a squad leader for a platoon which was conducting a reconnaissance-in-force mission near Lai Khe. Sergeant Freppon was serving as point man when he was suddenly pinned to the ground by fragmentation and rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons fire from well-concealed North Vietnamese Army troops. Fearing that his men would be trapped by the devastating hostile fire, he stood up to warn them of the entrenched enemy. Then, with complete disregard for his safety, he charged through the fusillade toward a North Vietnamese bunker. Although he was wounded repeatedly, he continued his assault on the fortification. He succeeded in destroying the bunker, and was stopped only when the was mortally wounded by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade. His courage and self-sacrifice prevented many of his comrades from being killed or wounded. Staff Sergeant Freppon'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. 1424 (April 23, 1969)
  

*Frericks, Louis Wayne

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Louis Wayne Frericks, 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 C, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Frericks distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 12 March 1969 while serving as platoon leader during a night ambush operation near Lai Khe. As his element moved toward a rendezvous point, an enemy force assaulted the patrol with claymore mines, automatic weapons, and rocket-propelled grenades. Lieutenant Frericks quickly deployed his men into defensive positions to return fire on the hostile force. Learning that two of his flank security men had been wounded in the initial enemy barrage, he immediately braved the intense fusillade to assist the two casualties to safety. While he was heroically administering lifesaving first aid to one of the injured men, he was critically wounded by small arms fire. First Lieutenant Frericks' 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. 2525 (July 12, 1969)
  

Friedrich, Robert L.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Robert L. Friedrich, 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, 3d Battalion, 187th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). Captain Friedrich distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 7 September 1968 while serving as company commander of a combat operation near Trung Lap. When one platoon came under enemy fire at their landing zone, Captain Friedrich disembarked from his command and control helicopter to lead another platoon to the assistance of the beleaguered men. Receiving light fire upon landing, they soon overpowered the resistance and proceeded toward the area of conflict. Having established a position in a hedgerow, Captain Friedrich and two radio-telephone operators moved out toward the pinned-down men. Immediately they came under intense fire which wounded one of the radio men. Captain Friedrich applied first aid to the injured man, but to no avail. Pressing on to the imperiled element, he reorganized his men and led them back to the hedgerow. He then employed artillery and air strikes as near as fifty meters from his position to force the enemy back, thus allowing the dead and wounded to be evacuated. As darkness approached, he led his men to the safety of a defensive position which was being prepared by other elements of the battalion. Captain Friedrich'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. 2893 (July 29, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Richard E. Friend, 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 595th Engineer Company, 86th Engineer Battalion, 34th Engineer Group, United States Army Engineer Command, Vietnam. Specialist Four Friend distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 May 1967 while traveling with a convoy on a re-supply mission near Soui Cat. As the convoy moved down the highway toward a base camp, it was savagely attacked by a large Viet Cong force firing mortars, recoilless rifles and automatic weapons from the undergrowth on both sides of the road. Specialist Friend was thrown to the ground when a recoilless rifle round hit his jeep, killed the driver, and spun the vehicle into a ditch. He lost his weapon when the vehicle overturned, and was pinned down by heavy fire from the advancing insurgents. As the assault intensified, he saw an enemy soldier moving toward an armored personnel carrier with a satchel charge. Completely disregarding his own safety, Specialist Friend stood up in the withering barrage and dashed to the carrier under a hail of bullets. Armed only with a knife, he leaped on the insurgent and fought a fierce hand-to-hand battle with the enemy soldier, killing him before he could destroy the carrier. His fearless action, at great risk to his life in the heat of battle was responsible for saving the lives of several comrades in the carrier. Specialist Four Friend'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. 6371 (December 11, 1967)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Jerry R. Fry, 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, 101st Aviation Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). Captain Fry distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 4 April 1968 while serving as commander of a fire team helicopter assault north of Ap Nam Phu in Thua Thien Province. While moving toward the village, a friendly element came under heavy fire from enemy automatic weapons, mortars, and rocket-propelled grenades and incurred several casualties, including the platoon leader. Medical evacuation was difficult because of darkness, fog and the intense fusillade. Captain Fry relieved the pressure on the besieged ground elements by directing gun ship fire onto enemy positions which he pinpointed by the use of a searchlight. While suppressive fire was being delivered, the company pulled the wounded to safety. An ambulance helicopter arrived, but the pilot missed the landing zone in the darkness and set down near the enemy who forced the craft away. At this time, Captain Fry volunteered to attempt the mission, and although heavy fire from the village imperiled his attempt, he succeeded in making two extractions. Captain Fry'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.