The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Harry Marlin Godwin (ASN: 0-100706), United States Army (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 327th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. First Lieutenant Godwin distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 4 March 1966, while serving as a platoon leader with elements of the 327th Infantry on a search and destroy operation near My Phu, Republic of Vietnam. When the lead company became heavily engaged with an entrenched North Vietnamese Army battalion, First Lieutenant Godwin maneuvered his platoon for an assault on the hostile flank. After artillery and air strikes failed to dislodge the insurgents, he dauntlessly led his men across the bullet-swept rice paddies. Just short of its objective, the platoon was pinned down and sustained heavy casualties from intense hostile fire. Unmindful of the dangers, First Lieutenant Godwin raced forward and dragged two of his wounded comrades to cover. Then with complete disregard for his safety, he jumped up and charged into a North Vietnamese automatic weapons emplacement. Firing his rifle as he ran, First Lieutenant Godwin killed all five insurgents in the bunker. Inspired by his outstanding courage, the platoon immediately assaulted the surrounding hostile positions and overran them. As they entered the main insurgent trench, First Lieutenant Godwin was fatally wounded. His unimpeachable valor contributed immeasurably to the defeat of a numerically superior hostile force, in which 119 insurgents were killed. First Lieutenant Godwin’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.