By Direction

of the

President of the United States

The

Distinguished Service Cross

Is Awarded

To

Victor A Justiniano Jr

(Posthumously)

Rank and Unit:  Private First Class, Company B, 3d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade

Date and Place:  3 March 1968,  Republic of Vietnam

Reason:   For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam:  Private First Class Justiniano distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 3 March 1968 as the medic of an infantry platoon conducting a search and destroy mission in the central highlands near Kontum.  the patrol was following the trail of a wounded North Vietnamese soldier when it came under a heavy automatic weapons and rocket attack.  The enemy was only ten meters to the front, entrenched in a reinforced bunker complex.  Two men of the point element were wounded in the initial volley of fire.  With complete disregard for his safety, Private Justiniano moved forward to aid them.  As he advanced, he was wounded several times by automatic weapons fire and shrapnel from an exploding rocket.  Ignoring his wounds, he crawled forward and finally reached the position where his two comrades lay exposed to enemy fire.  He moved one man to safety and treated him.  He then returned for the other soldier who was almost directly in front of an enemy position.  As he attempted to rescue the casualty, Private Justiniano was mortally wounded.  Private First Class Justiniano'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.