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 Specialist Fourth Class James M. Fitzpatrick (ASN: US-56713088), 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, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Fitzpatrick distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 23 December 1968 while serving as a driver on a resupply mission near Vinh Kim. A numerically superior enemy force armed with rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons ambushed his vehicle, killing one man and wounding the others. Ignoring his own injuries, Specialist Fitzpatrick pulled eleven wounded men from his vehicle, through the raking hostile fire, to a ditch which protected them from further harm. He then moved among his comrades, treating their wounds and organizing those who were able to fight the aggressors. After skillfully applying tourniquets to three men who were in danger of bleeding to death, he ran to his truck and radioed for help. Because of a severe ear injury he was unable to hear, but he stayed in the exposed position and repeated the message to insure it was being transmitted. Observing that the communists had increased their fire and were preventing another man from administering first aid, he stood up in full view of the enemy and engaged them with his pistol. When help arrived, he refused treatment for his wounds and continued to assist other casualties. Specialist Four Fitzpatrick’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.