David D. Dentinger

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to David D. Dentinger (US51942572), 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, 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 2d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Specialist Four Dentinger distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 February 1968 while leading a squad against four heavily fortified North Vietnamese Army bunkers near the city of Hue. Two of the positions were successfully destroyed, but the remaining fortifications continued to pour an intense volume of fire on Specialist Dentinger and his men. He and another soldier advanced to cover afforded by a partially destroyed house to come within close range of the enemy. When his comrade attempted to throw a white phosphorous grenade through a window in the building at the communists’ positions, he was severely wounded by sniper fire and fell senseless to the floor. The armed grenade landed beside him. Unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own life, Specialist Dentinger dove toward the live grenade. Grasping it in his hand, he rolled over to an opening in the wall and threw the deadly missile toward the bunker. As he released the grenade it detonated, critically burning him. His quick action, however, caused the primary force of the explosion to be outside the building, and his wounded comrade was not harmed by the blast. Specialist Four Dentinger’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. 5429 (November 24, 1969)