Robert E. Armstrong

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Robert E. Armstrong, Specialist Fourth Class, 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 C, 3d Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Armstrong distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 11 March 1959 while serving as a radio- telephone operator during a combat sweep operation south of Hill 947 near Polei Kleng in Kontum Province. While making assessments of friendly air strikes in the area, Specialist Armstrong’s platoon came under attack from a North Vietnamese force using grenades, rifles and rockets. Realizing that the enemy had surrounded the platoon, the Company Commander set up a hasty perimeter. Suddenly a rocket hit the command post directly, killing or wounding all the officers and noncommissioned officers. Although wounded himself, Specialist Armstrong took charge of the element, reorganizing defensive positions and setting up aid for casualties. He then established radio contact with the battalion operations center and guided in artillery and air support. When two other platoons from his unit came to relieve the beleaguered element, Specialist Armstrong directed them against the weakest of the enemy’s positions. With coordinated efforts, the two platoons broke through the encircling hostile force to reinforce Specialist Armstrong’s perimeter. With the threat of being overrun reduced, Specialist Armstrong proceeded to carry the wounded to the temporary landing zone. Braving the heavy fire again and again, he led parties to the evacuation site, and only after all the other wounded were extracted did he allow himself to be treated for his wounds. Specialist Four Armstrong’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. 3905 (October 18, 1969)