By Direction
of the
President of the United States
the
Distinguished Service Cross
Is Awarded
to
Douglas M. McCrary
(Posthumously)
Rank and Organization: First
Lieutenant, Company C, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division
(Airmobile)
Date and Place: 16
February 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: First
Lieutenant McCrary distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions
on 16 February 1967 while serving as a platoon leader with elements of the
7th Cavalry engaged with a well entrenched enemy force. When the two
lead platoons came under intense insurgent fire, Lieutenant McCrary
quickly directed a twelve man security team forward to outflank the
hostile positions. However, as the team approached the objective, it
was suddenly pinned down by devastating fire from concealed enemy
bunkers. Realizing the urgency of the situation, Lieutenant McCrary
started maneuvering the rest of the platoon toward the besieged
force. After advancing to a position near the team, he called for
his men to provide suppressive fire as he fearlessly crawled across the
bullet-swept field alone. Upon reaching the stranded element,
Lieutenant McCrary began to move among the endangered men, treating the
wounded and shouting encouragement. Seeing one stricken man lying
exposed across a dike, he tossed a smoke grenade to provide cover and then
charged forward through a hail of insurgent bullets. But as he started
to pull the man to safety, the smoke dissipated and Lieutenant McCrary was
mortally wounded. His boundless courage and selfless sacrifice in
trying to save a fellow soldier will serve as a source of lasting
inspiration to all those who knew him. First Lieutenant McCrary'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.
|