By Direction

of the

President of the United States

the

Distinguished Service Cross

Is Awarded

to

Roger K. Hattersley

Rank and Unit:  Private First Class, Company D, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)

Date and Place: 17 December 1966, Republic of Vietnam

Reason:  SFC ROGER KEITH HATTERSLEY, (then Private First Class), United States Army, Company D, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Private First Class Hattersley distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 17 December 1966 while serving as machine gunner during a search and destroy mission near Bong Son. While advancing, Private Hattersley's platoon received intense fire from hostile camouflaged positions 40 meters to its front. He immediately dropped to the ground and poured a high rate of fire into the Viet Cong emplacements to protect his wounded comrades who were struggling to reach cover. Although enemy fire constantly raked the ground around him, he held his position until ordered back by his commander. When his ammunition ran out, he raced to the side of a casualty lying in the open, seized his weapon, and provided his own covering fire while helping the man to withdraw. With replenished ammunition, he resumed his devastating attack on the insurgents. Realizing that his trapped unit would continue to suffer severe casualties unless something was done, Private Hattersley, of his own accord, jumped to his feet firing his weapon from the hip, and fearlessly charged the Viet Cong emplacement. He was wounded halfway to the bunker, but indomitably continued his assault on the hostile stronghold and disappeared into a hedgerow. His attack silenced the main enemy firing position and enabled his unit to overcome the insurgents. Private Hattersley was found wounded a second time and lying unconscious next to a Viet Cong bunker where a dead insurgent was inside. 

Private First Class Hattersley'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.