Troubled Hero: A Medal of Honor, Vietnam, and the War at Home

Appendix B

Appendix B Distinguished Service Cross Citation for Kenneth J. David For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam; Private First Class David distinguished himself while serving as radio-telephone operator during combat operations at an allied fire support base. During the early morning hours of 7 May 1970, Private David’s company came under an intense attack from a large hostile force. Supported by intense small and automatic weapons fire, the enemy inflicted numerous casualties upon the allies and left Private David alone to defend his portion of the defensive perimeter. Unleashing a barrage of automatic weapons fire, the private bitterly resisted all enemy efforts to overrun his position. When the enemy began to toss satchel charges in the direction of the wounded allied soldiers, Private David began to shout in a manner which attracted the enemy’s attention away from the allied casualties. Refusing to withdraw in the face of the concentrated fire now directed toward him, the private continued to resist the attackers in a determined manner. Although wounded by an exploding satchel charge and running perilously low on ammunition, he tossed hand grenades toward the attackers to effectively counter their fire. Then, after allied reinforcements fought their way to his position, Private David carried a wounded comrade to a sheltered position and returned to the contact area to engage the enemy until they broke contact and fled. Private First Class David’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. ...