By Direction

of the

President of the United States

the

Distinguished Service Cross

Is Awarded 

to

Gary E. Crews

Rank and Organization:  Private First Class, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)

Date and Place:  29 July 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 Crews distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 29 July 1968 as a rifleman during a search and destroy mission in Hai Lang District.  Private Crews' company encountered heavy automatic weapons fire from well-concealed bunkers, pinning the men down and inflicting numerous casualties.  Braving the enemy fusillade, he immediately went to the aid of his injured comrades.  He was hit first by grenade fragments, temporally blinding him in the eye, and then by small arms fire in the arm.  Ignoring his painful wounds, he continued on to the casualties and applied vital first aid.  After carrying one seriously injured soldier to safety, Private Crews returned to the battle and was wounded again, but remained to aid his companions until he was ordered to the rear for medical treatment.  Private First Class Crews' 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.