John W. Mcenery

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to John W. McEnery, Lieutenant Colonel (Armor), 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 Headquarters & Headquarters Troop, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Lieutenant Colonel McEnery distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 20 March 1969 as commanding officer during an assault on an enemy base camp. After having organized a combined armor and infantry task force to reinforce a platoon engaged with an enemy unit, he flew to the location of the firefight to assess the progress of his troops. Despite the heavy antiaircraft barrage directed at his helicopter, he continued flying at a low altitude to direct the movement of the ground elements. When communication with his ground commanders was disrupted, he had his aircraft land in the combat area in order to maintain control of the attack on the hostile positions. After organizing his elements into an assault formation, he climbed into the deck of a tank and led the assault into the hostile base camp. Although he was wounded by grenade fragmentation, he persisted in directing the operation until the enemy had been eliminated. Only after he was assured that all of the casualties were receiving medical assistance and that a defensive position had been established for the night did he consent to his own evacuation. Colonel McEnery’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. 2946 (August 4, 1969)