Donald R. Beckstrom

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Donald R. Beckstrom (US56543644), Sergeant, 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, 4th Battalion, 23d Infantry, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Sergeant Beckstrom distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 14 July 1968 while serving as radio telephone operator on a reconnaissance-in-force mission. His company suddenly came under intense enemy fire, critically wounding the commander and a major part of the headquarters element. Disregarding his safety, Sergeant Beckstrom maneuvered forward to remove the company commander and the other injured men from under the communists’ barrage. While extracting the casualties from the killing zone, he observed a number of the enemy moving on his position and immediately placed a heavy volume of fire upon them, killing two and wounding several more. After evacuating the company commander, Sergeant Beckstrom took command of the company, reorganized the platoons in defensive positions and personally directed retaliatory fire on the aggressors. He continued to provide effective leadership until relieved by a new commanding officer an hour and thirty minutes later. Sergeant Beckstrom’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. 255 (January 23, 1969)