Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    5th Battalion

    Regiment:

    60th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    9th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    January 25, 1969

    Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1532 (April 30, 1969)

    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 (Infantry) Roger Lee Vickers (ASN: 0-5347766), 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 C, 5th Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Vickers distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 25 January 1969 while commanding a company during a reconnaissance-in-force mission in the Plain of Reeds, Thu Thua Province. As his unit was crossing an open area, it was engaged by an enemy force occupying well fortified bunkers in a nearby woodline. Spotting three wounded men who lay exposed to the hostile fire, Lieutenant Vickers unhesitatingly advanced through the hail of bullets to rescue the casualties and succeeded in carrying them to the safety of a dike. He then returned to the front of his company and began directing his troops toward the bunkers. Braving the enemy fusillade, he moved from position to position with a grenade launcher and placed accurate fire on the aggressors. After tossing smoke grenades to mark the hostile strongholds and directing air strikes, Lieutenant Vickers led an assault on the now disorganized communists. Shortly before the enemy withdrew, he was mortally wounded by hostile fire. First Lieutenant Vickers’ 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.