By Direction

of the

President of the United States

The

Distinguished Service Cross

Is Awarded

To

Lonnie R. Butts

(Posthumously)

Rank and Unit:  Specialist Five, Headquarters Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division

Date and Place:  15 May 1967,  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 Five Butts distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 15 May 1967 while serving as senior medical aidman during a search and destroy mission near Duc Pho.  When the lead element of his unit became pinned down by machine gun fire, Specialist Butts executed a flanking movement on the hostile emplacement and silenced the two Viet Cong who were manning it.  He continued forward, moving from one emplacement to another and drove the enemy back with hand grenades and machine gun fire.  One insurgent threw a grenade between Specialist Butts and his platoon sergeant.  Taking no heed of his own safety, he threw himself between the sergeant and the grenade, catching most of the shrapnel in his legs.  Although he was seriously wounded, Specialist Butts went to the assistance of another casualty and treated his wounds.  During the remainder of the firefight, he refused medical attention until all of the other wounded men were treated.  Specialist Butts was mortally wounded as he move toward a helicopter for evacuation.  Specialist Five Butts' extraordinary heroism and devtion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the Unites States Army.