By Direction

of the

President of the United States

the

Distinguished Service Cross

Is Awarded 

to

Thomas L. Dobrinska

(Posthumously)

Rank and Organization:  Second Lieutenant, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Air Cavalry Division

Date and Place:  9 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:  Second Lieutenant Dobrinska distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 9 February 1968 as a platoon leader of an airmobile infantry company on a combat mission near Than Bon Pho.  His unit had successfully obtained two objectives of it three goals assault, and Lieutenant Dobrinska, realizing the importance of the momentum of his platoon's attack, continued charging the hostile emplacements.  His platoon sustained several casualties and he repeatedly exposed himself to the enemy fire as he personally carried the casualties to safety. He then returned to his unit to continue leading the attack against the well entrenched insurgents.  As his platoon was temporarily driven back, he pulled two more wounded soldiers to a covered position.  Twice more he led his men forward, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy forces, only to be forced to withdraw each time by the intensity of the hostile fire.  Disregarding his personal safety, Lieutenant Dobrinska then single-handedly charged the enemy automatic weapons position blocking his unit's advance and succeeded in destroying it.  During this assault, he was mortally wounded, but his courageous actions enabled his unit to seize the final objective and permitted the quick evacuation of the injured personnel.  Second Lieutenant Dobrinska'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.