By Direction

of the

President of the United States

The

Distinguished Service Cross

Is Awarded

To

Ronald Sowell

(Posthumously)

Rank and Unit:  Specialist Four, Company A, 2d Battalion, 12th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division

Date and Place:  24 October 1969,  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 Four Sowell distinguished himself on 24 October 1969 while serving as a medic during an airmobile operation.  On this date his company came under intense automatic weapons fire from an enym force in a well-fortified bunker complex.  the friendly element assaulted the hostile emplacements three times, attempting to rout the enemy from their positions.  During the final assault the third platoon suffered numerous casualties and Specialist Sowell began to maneuver through the hostile fusillade to their aid.  He crawled to within five feet of an enemy bunker to treat a wounded comrade and then carried him to the relative safety of the friendly defensive lines where he insured the casualty would receive treatment.  Again he returned through the hail of enemy rounds to help another wounded soldier and while evacuating him Specialist Sowell was seriously wounded by rifle fire.  After bringing his fellow soldier to safety, he received medical attention but refused evacuation.  Despite the withering volley of fire, he again advanced to wthin five feet of an occupied bunker to administer aid to another wounded man.  As he was carrying the soldier back to cover behind the perimeter, Specialist Sowell was shot again and fatally wounded.  He managed to drag his comrade to cover before succumbing.  His courage and devotion to duty at the sacrifice of his own life saved the lives of two of his comrades.  Specialist Four Sowell'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.