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 Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Frederick French Van Deusen (ASN: 0-68756), United States 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 and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 47th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division. Lieutenant Colonel Van Deusen distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 3 July 1968 as commanding officer of an infantry battalion on combat operations near Ben Luc. Early in the morning, he inserted two rifle companies into landing zones on the west bank of the Song Vam Co Dong River. With the support of an armed helicopter company and an air cavalry troop, he maneuvered them in an attempt to encircle a Viet Cong battalion command post. Throughout the morning, he directed his command helicopter to maintain a tree-top level position to best control the ground elements. On several occasions he joined his companies to personally coordinate their efforts. In each case, he disregarded his personal safety to cross open areas under intense hostile fire and join the forward elements. During the afternoon, one company lost contact with one of its platoons. Colonel Van Deusen immediately directed his helicopter to land, crossed an open field under a hail of enemy automatic weapons fire, and joined the company commander in an exposed position. To assist the officer in finding the isolated platoon, Colonel Van Deusen returned to his aircraft and directed the pilot to circle the battlefield at treetop-level despite the constant enemy fusillade directed at the ship. He spotted enemy activity on the company’s flank and directed his pilot to fly closer for a better view. At that moment enemy automatic weapons fire raked the aircraft, causing it to crash into the river. Lieutenant Colonel Van Deussen’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.