Ruben H. Ford

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Ruben H. Ford (RA12685046), Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Military Advisory Detachment, 23d Infantry Division, United States Army Advisory Group, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Ford distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 15 August 1967 as assistant operations advisor to an armored unit on a reaction mission in the hamlet of Vinh Phu. His unit was called upon to reinforce an infantry unit engaged in combat with a North Vietnamese Army battalion. Arriving at the raging battlefield, Sergeant Ford’s armored personnel carrier was subjected to intense enemy automatic weapons, recoilless rifle, rocket and mortar fire. Although seriously wounded by the fusillade, he fearlessly continued to expose himself to the savage barrage to maintain the momentum of his unit’s attack. Unhesitatingly moving into the area of heaviest contact, Sergeant Ford pinpointed North Vietnamese troop concentration and crew-served weapons, enabling accurate air strikes and artillery fire to be placed on the enemy positions. His personnel carrier received a direct hit from a recoilless rifle, wounding half of the crew members. Heedless of the relentless attack directed to his disabled vehicle, he manned one of his mounted machine guns and raked advancing North Vietnamese soldiers with a deadly hail of bullets. Refusing medical attention for himself, Sergeant Ford administered skillful first aid to his wounded comrades and supervised their evacuation. He then continued to brave withering enemy fire to load machine guns and place fierce fire on the hostile force until the remaining crew members had withdrawn to defensive positions. His gallant and inspiring leadership in the head of battle saved the lives of many fellow soldiers. Staff Sergeant Ford’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.
Headquarters, US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2649 (June 1, 1968)