By Direction

of the

President of the United States

the

Distinguished Service Cross

Is Awarded 

to

George M. Ring

Rank and Organization:  Second Lieutenant Infantry, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Air Cavalry Division (Airmobile)

Date and Place:  7 January 1968, Republic of Vietnam

Reason:  For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam:  Second Lieutenant Ring distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 7 January 1968 as an infantry platoon leader during a mission in the Que Son Valley.  A sister unit became encircled by a large enemy force, and Lieutenant Ring repeatedly exposed himself to heavy hostile fire as he led his men through enemy lines to reach and relieve the pressure on the embattled company.  As the trapped company broke out of the encirclement, Lieutenant Ring remained behind to organize and evacuate the wounded.  The enemy closed the breach in their envelopment, leaving him and en element of fifty men completely surrounded.  After making several attempts to break through the enemy lines, the small detachment formed a defensive perimeter.  Lieutenant Ring then called in and adjusted a concentrated ring of artillery fire around the position.  The North Vietnamese Army troops repeatedly assaulted the defenders, attempting to overrun their position.  Each attack was successfully repulsed as Lieutenant Ring skillfully coordinated and adjusted artillery barrages and the small arms and automatic weapons fire of his men on the assaulting troops. During one attack a group of enemy soldiers made their way to within three meters of where the element’s wounded were lying.  Lieutenant Ring immediately charged the intruders and killed them with rifle fire. Second Lieutenant Ring’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.