Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    7th Cavalry Regiment, 3d Brigade

    Division:

    1st Cavalry Division

    Action Date:

    September 19, 1967

    Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 5670 (November 4, 1967)

    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 Sergeant First Class Roy Green Harris, Jr. (ASN: RA-14352191), 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 Second Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 3d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Platoon Sergeant Harris distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 September 1967 while serving as a platoon sergeant of an infantry platoon on a search and destroy mission near Phan Thiet. As his men left the helicopters upon infiltration, they were savagely attacked by a large Viet Cong force firing automatic weapons from well fortified positions around the landing zone. The intensity of the enemy barrage prevented his men from deploying in defensive positions quickly, but Sergeant Harris stood up in the hail of bullets and moved among his men directing their fire on the hostile positions. After gaining fire superiority, he moved to the front of his men and led the platoon in a fierce charge on the enemy fortifications, personally capturing one prisoner. Several hostile soldiers surprised him as he moved the prisoner toward his platoon leader, and he was wounded by the savage fire. He remained calm in the face of the attack and killed one to the insurgents while routing the rest with deadly fire. As he moved along a stream with the prisoner, he was seriously wounded by a Viet Cong sniper. Ignoring his own safety, he continued to direct the assault on the enemy and inspired his men to defeat the determined Viet Cong. He was mortally wounded while fearlessly leading his men in the face of overwhelming odds. Platoon Sergeant Harris’ 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.