HEADQUARTERS

UNITED STATES ARMY VIETNAM

APO San Francisco 96375

GENERAL ORDERS                                                                                  28 September 1967

NUMBER 4966

1. TC 320, The following AWARD is announced.

HILL, JAMES H JR RA13751576 STAFF SERGEANT E6 United States Army Company A, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry, 3rd Brigade Task Force, 25th Infantry Division APO 96225

Awarded: Distinguished Service Cross

Date action: 20 May 1967

Theater: Republic of Vietnam

Reason: For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Staff Sergeant Hill distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 20 May 1967 while serving as squad leader of an infantry company on a search and destroy mission near Duc Pho. Sergeant Hill’s platoon was working with engineers clearing and destroying bunkers when they came under intense sniper fire from a bunker complex built into a nearby hill. Reacting immediately, he charged through unwavering fire across forty meters of open terrain to the closest bunker. He jumped on top of the bunker and threw a grenade through the firing port killing the insurgents inside. With firing concentrated on him from all directions, he dashed to the next bunker and climbed atop it. Seriously wounded by the deadly fire, he dropped a grenade inside and moved to the next bunker. Ignoring his injury, he again exposed himself to the Viet Cong snipers as he jumped on top of the third bunker and destroyed it with another grenade. Only after he was sure that the enemy was defeated did he allow himself to be evacuated. His courageous actions were responsible for saving many lives and contributed immeasurably to the success of the mission. Staff Sergeant Hill’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.