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 (Transportation Corps) James Russell Hammersla (ASN: 0-525509), 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 379th Transportation Company (Reefer), 7th Transportation Battalion (Truck), 48th Transportation Group (Motor Transport), United States Army Support Command. First Lieutenant Hammersla distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 17 December 1968 as commander of a convoy carrying supplies from Long Binh to Dau Tieng. The convoy was ambushed by an estimated battalion-sized force of North Vietnamese Army troops occupying positions from fifteen to a hundred and fifty meters from the road and covering a twelve hundred meter killing zone. As the trucks ahead began receiving fire, Lieutenant Hammersla’s jeep was struck by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade. One of the trucks in front of him was then hit in the engine compartment disabling it in the middle of the road. Lieutenant Hammersla and the other occupants quickly dismounted from their crippled vehicle and began returning fire on the North Vietnamese. Realizing that other sections of the convoy would soon drive into the ambush, he courageously returned to his jeep through the intense hostile fire and radioed a warning. He was wounded by the communists’ barrage, but managed to return to his defensive position where he continued to encourage his men and direct their fire until he was mortally wounded by the enemy fusillade. His radio message prevented other convoy vehicles from being ambushed and caused reinforcements to be immediately dispatched to the battle site. First Lieutenant Hammersla’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.