By Direction

of the

President of the United States

the

Distinguished Service Cross

Is Awarded 

to

Julius Maddox

(Posthumously)

Rank and Organization:  Private First Class, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division

Date and Place:  6 February 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 Maddox distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 6 February 1968 as medical aidman of an infantry company on a search and destroy operation near Hoi An.  While crossing an open, dry rice paddy, his unit was hit by devastating fire from enemy soldiers entrenched in camouflaged positions within two meters of the friendly forces.  The ravaging small arms and machine gun barrage killed or wounded many of the men in his platoon during the initial moments of the ambush, and the remainder of the friendly force withdrew to the concealment offered by a nearby cane field.  With complete disrgard for his welfare, Private Maddox sprinted across the bare terrain under a hail of fire to reach a wounded comrade and carry him to safety.  Seeing a fellow medic hit, he returned through withering enemy machine gun fire to move the man to a helicopter evacuation landing zone.  When the rescue ships arrived, he placed his patients aboard, secured a litter from one of the crews, and returned to aid soldiers still trapped in the deadly killing zone.  He was sot in both legs by North Vietnamese fire, but ignored his wounds to carry another casualty to the waiting aircraft.  He was urged to board the helicopter for evacuation, but he refused any aid for himself and returned to rescue more wounded.  Only when he was certain that all his injured comrades were safe did he allow treatment and evacuation for himself.  His courageous and selfless actions in the heat of battle were directly responsible for saving the lives of several fellow soldiers.  Private First Class Maddox'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.