By Direction

of the

President of the United States

the

Distinguished Service Cross

Is Awarded 

to

Alfred Pickard

(Posthumously)

Rank and Organization:  Private First Class, Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)

Date and Place:  2 December 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 Pickard distinguished himself while serving as a machine gunner with a reconnaissance patrol during operations in Phuoc Long Province.  the squad-size patrol walked into an enemy bunker complex and was caught in a crossfire of rocket and machine gun fire.  Five members of the patrol fell wounded in the initial barrage of enemy fire.  Although twice wounded in the first hostile fusillade, Private Pickard unhesitatingly took command of the trapped patrol.  He secured an M-60 machine gun and placed suppressive fire on the enemy fortifications while the rest of the patrol began pulling back to positions of cover.  While thus covering the withdrawal of his comrades, Private Pickard was again hit by a burst of enemy fire and his machine gun rendered inoperative.  Despite the heavy volume of fire now focused on him, Private Pickard held his position and continued covering the withdrawal of his comrades with M-16 rifle fire.  It was then that he was again hit and mortally wounded by enemy fire.  Private First Class Pickard'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.