The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant Rohnie Lee Harrell (ASN: RA-18744007), 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 Company B, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division. Sergeant Harrell distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 6 April 1968 as a squad leader during a company sweep northwest of Hue. His squad, point element for his platoon, maneuvered against well-fortified enemy positions which had pinned down the rest of the company. Sergeant Harrell advanced through a hail of fire, entered the enemy trench system, and killed two North Vietnamese soldiers. Hurling grenades, he continued to expose himself to enemy fire as he moved down the trench to eliminate a North Vietnamese Army position inside a nearby house. He destroyed the emplacement and began to return to his platoon’s position. As he did so he found four wounded comrades in the trench. He deployed three of them into a hasty defensive position and dragged the severely wounded fourth man to cover. He then returned to the other wounded, led them to a protected friendly position, and integrated them into the company’s defenses. Upon returning to his platoon, Sergeant Harrell relayed timely information concerning the location of enemy positions to his officers, allowing them to better deploy their troops against the insurgents. Sergeant Harrell’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.