Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    506th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    101st Airborne Division

    Action Date:

    February 12, 1969

    Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3079 (August 12, 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 pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) James R. Magouyrk, 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, 3d Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). First Lieutenant Magouyrk distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 12 February 1969 while serving as a rifle platoon leader during operations near Phan Thiet in Binh Thuan Province. When combined elements of the South Vietnamese Army and Regional/Popular Forces encountered heavy enemy contact during the defense of the city, Lieutenant Magouyrk and his unit were flown in to reinforce the allied elements. As the helicopters touched down, enemy B-40 rocket and small arms fire burst from bunkers surrounding the landing zone. Immediately Lieutenant Magouyrk disembarked and set up defensive positions. He continually exposed himself to the fusillade to pull casualties to a safe area for medical evacuation and to redistribute ammunition among his men. Observing an enemy in a nearby bunker preparing to launch a rocket, he charged the fortification, destroying it with hand grenades and capturing the rocket launcher. While supervising a sweep of an area vacated by the enemy, he was wounded by hostile fire. Not until he had organized his men into a defensive night position did he allow himself to be evacuated for medical treatment. First Lieutenant Magouryk’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.