By Direction
of the
President of the United States
the
Distinguished Service Cross
Is Awarded
to
Roy C. Harris Jr.
(Posthumously)
Rank and Organization: Platoon
Sergeant E-7, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)
Date and Place: 19
September 1967, Republic of Vietnam
Reason: For extraordinary
heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an
armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Platoon
Sergeant Harris distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on
19 September 1967 while serving as a platoon sergeant of an infantry
platoon on a search and destroy mission near Phan Thiet. As his men
left the helicopters upon infiltration, they were savagely attacked by a
large Viet Cong force firing automatic weapons from well fortified
positions around the landing zone. The intensity of the enemy
barrage prevented his men from deploying in defensive positions quickly,
but Sergeant Harris stood up in the hail of bullets and moved among his
men directing their fire on the hostile positions. After gaining
fire superiority, he moved to the front of his men and led the platoon in
a fierce charge on the enemy fortifications, personally capturing one
prisoner. Several hostile soldiers surprised him as he moved the
prisoner toward his platoon leader, and he was wounded by the savage
fire. He remained calm in the face of the attack and killed one to
the insurgents while routing the rest with deadly fire. As he moved
along a stream with the prisoner, he was seriously wounded by a Viet Cong
sniper. Ignoring his own safety, he continued to direct the assault
on the enemy and inspired his men to defeat the determined Viet
Cong. He was mortally wounded while fearlessly leading his men in
the face of overwhelming odds. Platoon Sergeant Harris' 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.
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