By Direction
of the
President of the United States
The
Distinguished Service Cross
Is Awarded
To
Raymond Ortiz
Rank and Unit:
Specialist Four, Headquarters and Company A, 1st Battalion (Airborne),
8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division
Date and Place:
3 and 4 November 1965, Republic of Vietnam
Reason:
For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against
an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. During the
period 3 and 4 November 1965, Specialist Ortiz was serving as a medical
corpsman accompanying the 3d platoon of Company A, 1st Battalion
(Airborne), 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division on a night air assault
mission of a Viet Cong held zone. At approximately 2330 hours, 3
November 1965, after landing and leaving his troop carrying helicopter,
Specialist Ortiz was wounded in his left arm which rendered it
useless. Disregarding and refusing treatment of his won painful
wound, he remained with the 3d platoon during its assault on the hostile
positions. As the platoon advanced to within thirty meters of the
insurgent position, he continually refused to be evacuated and
personally gave aid and evacuated six of his wounded comrades.
Notwithstanding the murderous hail of hostile fire, he rushed to the aid
of his platoon leader, who had been wounded and was lying in the line of
the hostile barrage. Moving forward in this attempt Specialist
Ortiz was again wounded in the chest and knocked to the ground.
Although in great pain from this wound he got to his feet, continued in
the valorous attempt to aid his wounded superior, and was again wounded
in the chest by small arms fire. When he was picked up for
evacuation he refused aid until the rest of the wounded had been
evacuated. His gallantry under fire saved the lives of several of
his comrades and greatly inspired the members of the platoon. Specialist
Ortiz's extraordinary heroism and compassion for his fellow man were in
keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect
great credit upon himself and the military service.
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