DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
HEADQUARTERS, UNITED STATES
ARMY VIETNAM
APO San Francisco 96375
GENERAL
ORDERS
2 August 1968
NUMBER 3763
AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED
SERVICE CROSS
1. TC 320. The following AWARD Is announced.
HOPKINS, RONALD J US56827957 SPECIALIST FOUR
E4 United States Army, Company B, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry, 3d
Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, APO 96262
Awarded: Distinguished Service Cross
Date action: 9 February 1968
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: Specialist Hopkins
distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 9 February
1968 as point man of his Infantry unit during a search and destroy
mission near Da Nang. His squad was assigned as point squad for an
attack against an estimated battalion of North Vietnamese Regulars.
The initial hostile fire was so intense that Specialist Hopkins’
platoon was forced to withdraw and re-group in a shallow trench line.
He then led his squad along the ditch until it encountered an enemy
machine gun emplacement which he neutralized, enabling the platoon to
advance. The friendly force came under fire from a second machine gun
position. Specialist Hopkins moved forward, eliminated the emplacement
and captured the weapon. The insurgents then employed, mortar fire
against his element. Unhesitantly and with complete disregard for his
personal safety, he advanced through a hail of shrapnel and small arms
fire. He routed the North Vietnamese mortar crew and captured the
weapon and its ammunition. As the battle continued, Specialist Hopkins
saved a fellow soldier from possible injury or death by knocking him
to the ground when the man failed to react to an enemy hand grenade
that landed near his position. Specialist Four Hopkins’
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.
