Walter Lewis Moses, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Walter Lewis Moses, Jr. (US51835754), Specialist Fourth Class, 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 Company A, 1st Infantry Regiment, 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. Specialist Four Moses distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 March 1969 while serving as leader of a machine gun team on a reconnaissance-in-force mission in Quang Tin Province. As the company traveled down a trail, from well-concealed bunkers an enemy force initiated an ambush, wounding several men of the point element. Braving the onslaught of machine gun, mortar, and rocket-propelled grenade fire, Specialist Moses rushed to assist the pinned down men. Despite a fragmentation wound received while retrieving one of his wounded comrades, he refused medical attention and again exposed himself to the intense hostile barrage to recover another casualty. As he courageously attempted to rescue a third man, he was mortally wounded in the head by enemy rifle rounds. Specialist Four Moses’ 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.
Headquarters, US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2296 (June 28, 1969)