James Schlottman

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to James Schlottman (0-5419228), First Lieutenant (Artillery), 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 A, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). First Lieutenant Schlottman distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 2 October 1966 while serving as aerial artillery observer during a search and destroy mission near Ngot Bay. As his helicopter surveyed a hostile position, Lieutenant Schlottman spotted an insurgent running from the area, landed, and captured the man. Later, an infantry platoon made contact with insurgents in a nearby village. He directed the pilot to hover at 20 feet over the enemy and, despite a constant hail of hostile machine gun fire, he kept the Viet Cong under grenade and rifle fire for one hour. As a Viet Cong rifleman fired directly at his door gunner, Lieutenant Schlottman stepped into the line of fire and killed the insurgent with a single shot. When his helicopter landed to pick up a seriously wounded medic, Lieutenant Schlottman fearlessly jumped from the helicopter and charged a machine gun position. Using only his pistol, he was able to silence one weapon. Hostile fire so damaged the aircraft as it took off, that the pilot could fly it only 150 meters. Determined to continue the destruction of the enemy, Lieutenant Schlottman ran from the helicopter onto the battlefield with a radio and guided artillery strikes on the Viet Cong positions. First Lieutenant Schlottman’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. 2379 (May 25, 1967)