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 Captain (Infantry) John D. Blair, IV (ASN: 0-93120), 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 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Captain Blair was Serving as Commanding Officer of Camp A Shau, Republic of Vietnam when, on 9 March 1966, it came under a severe attack by a large Viet Cong force. Captain Blair, responding to the attack, immediately began directing and organizing the defenses of the camp. Captain Blair repeatedly exposed himself to the intense fire in order to direct the evacuation of a seriously wounded American. When the Viet Cong launched their main attack with two reinforced battalions, Captain Blair directed the men until they were caught in a crossfire and forced to withdraw to another position within the camp. Reorganizing the men, Captain Blair led them in three counterattacks across the open terrain of the camp but was forced to order his small force to withdraw again. After fighting for thirty-eight hours, Captain Blair was ordered to evacuate the camp. He fought a delaying action while leading the troops to a landing zone to be evacuated. Captain Blair remained with those Americans not seriously wounded to cover the withdrawal of the remaining defenders. This action caused the Americans not to be picked up by the rescue team and they were forced to evade the Viet Cong for several days in the dense jungle until rescued by a helicopter. Captain Blair’s extraordinary heroism and gallantry in action are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.