By Direction

of the

President of the United States

the

Distinguished Service Cross

Is Awarded 

to

Gary B. Gorton

(Posthumously)

Rank and Organization:  Sergeant, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)

Date and Place:  17 February 1966, Republic of Vietnam

Reason:  For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam:  On 17 February 1966, Sergeant Gorton, serving as mortar squad leader, was accompanying his unit to establish a blocking position when they contacted and attacked a Viet Cong heavy weapons battalion.  Moving his squad to some nearby shell craters, Sergeant Gorton immediately engaged the insurgents and delivered deadly and accurate mortar support to his company until his ammunition was expended.  Under his direction he employed his squad as riflemen and successfully averted the Viet Cong assault against their sector defenses.  The insurgents regrouped and again charged the American perimeter.  With compete disregard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Gorton, exposed himself to an intense hail of automatic and small arms fire, throwing grenades and firing his weapon at the advancing Viet Cong forces.  Sergeant Gorton killed five of the insurgents and personally captured a machine gun.  His 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.