Clair H. Thurston, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Clair H. Thurston, Jr. (OF-101747), Second Lieutenant (Infantry), 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 B, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate). On 8 November 1965, Second Lieutenant Thurston was accompanying his unit on a search and destroy mission in War Zone “D”. Lieutenant Thurston received orders to move his platoon to the flank of numerous Viet Cong riflemen and hostile machine gun emplacements. As his platoon assumed their flanking position, they were subjected to intense hostile fire. Notwithstanding the vulnerability of his position and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, he moved from squad to squad to encourage and prepare them for the assault upon the insurgent position. As he gave the order to attack, his platoon immediately received a heavy concentration of small arms and automatic weapons fire from the Viet Cong positions. Steadfast, he raised his arm, as a signal to his men, yelled “Follow me”, and led the assault on the hostile machine gun emplacements. During the charge, he was mortally wounded by the deadly hail of fire which was directed into his ranks. As a result of his inspiration, courage, and leadership, the machine gun emplacements were overrun and destroyed, causing the insurgents to flee. Lieutenant Thurston’s extraordinary heroism, gallantry in action, and supreme sacrifice were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.
Headquarters, US Army, Pacific, General Orders No. 18 (January 27, 1968)