James R. Sanders, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to James R. Sanders, Jr., Captain (Infantry), 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 D, 2d Battalion, 1st Infantry, 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. Captain Sanders distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 and 20 March 1969 as company commander during an assault on Hill 187 near Tien Phuoc. As the lead element neared the crest of the hill, the well-entrenched enemy opened up with automatic weapons and grenade fire. Captain Sanders quickly organized an on-line assault to distract the enemy while the wounded were safely evacuated. Realizing that without additional support his men could not penetrate the hostile fortifications, he ordered a withdrawal. He then stormed the hill alone, killed one communist soldier and recovered several weapons left by his casualties. While returning to the rallying point, he sustained a fragmentation wound in his knee. Refusing medical aid he proceeded to call in gun ship air strikes and bombing runs on the enemy bunker complex. On 20 March Captain Sanders and his men quickly routed the enemy and secured the mountain fortress. When the hostile forces launched a counter-mortar attack on his company, Captain Sanders directed suppressive artillery fire on suspected enemy positions and constantly exposed himself to the hail of incoming mortar rounds to aid and evacuate the wounded. Captain Sander’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. 2470 (July 9, 1969)