Jerry T. Walden

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Jerry T. Walden, First Lieutenant (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, 3d Battalion, 187th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). First Lieutenant Walden distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 18 May 1969 while serving as a platoon leader during a company assault on Dong Ap Bia Mountain near the A Shau Valley. During the initial moments of the assault, the company’s commanding officer was critically wounded. Lieutenant Walden assumed command and continued the assault on the mountain. During the ensuing battle, Lieutenant Walden’s company took control of the mountain top, but in the process they suffered fifty per cent casualties including Lieutenant Walden who was wounded in the leg by shrapnel. Still under intense fire from enemy bunkers located near the top of the mountain, Lieutenant Walden took several hand grenades and assaulted the enemy positions. After knocking out four bunkers, he was seriously wounded by an enemy grenade thrown from another bunker. Undaunted by his wounds, Lieutenant Walden assessed his company’s dwindling ammunition supply and their exposed position and ordered a withdrawal. As he was pulling back with the last squad, the radio operator was seriously wounded in the arm by sniper fire. Lieutenant Walden crawled down the remainder of the hill and pulled the wounded radio operator to cover. Realizing that he was the company’s only remaining officer, he refused evacuation until a replacement arrived. Lieutenant Walden’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. 1942 (June 21, 1970)