Donald M. Biggin, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Donald M. Biggin, Jr., Sergeant First 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 Troop L, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Platoon Sergeant Biggin distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 18 March 1969 during a reconnaissance-in-force mission near a rubber plantation in Binh Duong Province. As his unit’s armored vehicles attempted an on-line assault on the enemy bunker complex, they became stalled by antitank fire. Observing that the unit’s weapons were not effectively neutralizing the bunkers, Sergeant Biggin dismounted and engaged two hostile bunkers with an M-72 rocket launcher, destroying them completely. While supervising the evacuation of his wounded men, he noticed a fire burning in one of the tracks and rushed to assist the wounded crew members who were trapped. Placing the casualties on his armored personnel carrier, he proceeded out of the combat zone to an established landing zone. En route, an enemy ambush element waylaid the vehicle wounding all but him and the medic. Sergeant Biggin returned fire, killing one of the enemy, took the driver’s position and drove out of the ambush to the evacuation point. After insuring that the injured were evacuated on the extraction helicopter, he returned to the battle and reorganized his men into an effective fighting force. Platoon Sergeant Biggin’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. 3077 (August 12, 1969)