Don E. Brock

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Don E. Brock (US55853534), 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 C, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Brock distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 October 1967 while serving as radio-telephone operator of an infantry company on a combat mission near Ap Dong. Shortly after making an airmobile assault into hostile territory, the company was fiercely attacked by a Viet Cong force firing automatic weapons, rockets and small arms. The company commander was killed in the initial barrage and the artillery forward observer assumed command of the company. Fighting furiously to repel the savage enemy onslaught, Specialist Brock personally killed two insurgents and his deadly accurate fire kept the enemy from overwhelming his position. When the forward observer was seriously wounded, Specialist Brock immediately assumed command of the company and calmly and skillfully directed the defenses while continuing to maintain contact with higher headquarters. The battle grew more fierce, and it became necessary to call artillery on the enemy positions which were in close proximity to Specialist Brock’s troops. Completely disregarding his personal safety he moved among his men under a curtain of fire and directed their movement out of range of the heavy ordnance. As darkness fell, he led his troops, without the aid of map or compass, to the security of the battalion perimeter. His unhesitating and fearless leadership was responsible for the successful withdrawal of his unit from a savage engagement with numerically superior forces. Specialist Four Brock’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. 727 (February 16, 1968)