James Doyle Eisenhour

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to James Doyle Eisenhour (W-3160336), Warrant Officer, 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 the 240th Assault Helicopter Company, 1st Aviation Brigade. Warrant Officer Eisenhour distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action while flying as an aircraft commander of a UH-1H helicopter against hostile forces near Hiep Hoa, Republic of Vietnam, on 18 August 1968, in an attempt to rescue a member of a long range reconnaissance patrol who was reported fallen from the extraction helicopter. Three other aircraft had attempted the rescue operation at the expense of two killed and six wounded. Warrant Officer Eisenhour, realizing that survival chances were small, nevertheless volunteered to take his aircraft and crew into the hotly contested landing zone to attempt the rescue. While hovering in the landing zone looking for the lost man, Warrant Officer Eisenhour’s aircraft sustained multiple hits from numerous automatic weapons positions. Warrant Officer Eisenhour was fatally wounded. Through his indomitable courage, complete disregard for his own safety, and profound concern for a fellow soldier, he attempted to rescue this individual at the cost of his own life. Warrant Officer Eisenhour’s extraordinary heroism and intrepidity are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 13 (March 6, 1969)