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 Patrick R. Smith (ASN: RA-17738393), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop L, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Sergeant Smith distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 11 January 1968 as an armored assault vehicle commander on a reconnaissance-in-force mission near Loc Ninh. His column was taken under an extremely heavy volume of automatic weapons and small arms fire from an insurgent force concealed in dense vegetation along the roadway. The dismounted elements which flanked the formation were pinned down immediately. Seeing this, Sergeant Smith directed his track against the enemy positions. Four direct rocket hits inflicted severe wounds on him and several of his crew and caused his vehicle to burst into flames. Although dazed and in great pain, Sergeant Smith continued to direct a lethal volley of machine gun fire on the insurgents, enabling the ground troops to maneuver into a better defensive position. He then began evacuating his wounded crew members from the flaming vehicle. Observing several Viet Cong rushing the track to take its weapons and ammunition, Sergeant Smith quickly returned to it and annihilated the onrushing force with machine gun fire. Flames in the vehicle caused it to explode, blowing him out of the commander’s hatch. Disregarding his additional wounds and burns, he freed the trapped driver and evacuated the man to an aid station. Refusing medical attention for himself, Sergeant Smith continued to fight until the enemy was routed and driven into the jungle. Sergeant Smith’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.