By Direction

of the

President of the United States

The

Distinguished Service Cross

Is Awarded

To

John W. Eutsler

  Posthumously

Rank and Unit:  Private First Class United States Army, Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)

Date and Place:  31 January 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: Private First Class Eutsler distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 January 1969 as a point man during a search and clear mission in Tay ninh Province.  As Private Eutsler was leading his squad down a narrow path, he came upon a well camouflaged bunker complex manned by two companies of the Nother Vietnamese Army.  He immediately signaled a warning to his comrades and, disregarding his safety, advanced on the forward enemy position.  Although met by intense hostile fire, he killed one of the communists and continued across an open field to the bunker, which he destroyed with hand grenades.  He then engaged a squad of enemy troops who were placing dedly fire on his element, enabling his comrades to withdraw to a more secure location.  While moving back to rejoin his unit and report the North Vietnamese positions, he was fatally wounded by a burst of hostile fire.

Private First Class Eutsler'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.