Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    27th Infantry Regiment, 2d Brigade

    Division:

    25th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    October 28, 1967

    Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2599 (May 30, 1968)

    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 Sergeant First Class Vincente Taitano Dydasco (ASN: RA-10106217), 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, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry, 2d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Sergeant First Class Dydasco distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 28 October 1967 as platoon sergeant with an infantry battalion on a search and destroy mission in the Boi Loi Woods. While clearing a night defensive position, a sister company became heavily engaged by an unknown sized enemy force. As Sergeant Dydasco’s platoon moved to aid the beleaguered force, an enemy complex consisting of sixty well-fortified bunkers connected by fighting trenches was encountered. Immediately deploying his unit to provide covering fire, he and three others advanced to locate the insurgents. He observed three Viet Cong moving to another bunker and wounded one before his weapon jammed. Armed only with grenades, he crawled after the enemy. Upon reaching the bunker they occupied, he hurled his grenades into it, destroying the fortification and killing the insurgents. Completely disregarding his personal safety, he maneuvered among the hostile fortifications and destroyed seven bunkers with well-placed grenades. He then moved back to his men and led them into the enemy complex. His force encountered intense automatic weapons fire, and he fearlessly advanced alone to find the location of the emplacement. With bullets striking all around him, he crawled through the complex. A sniper in a tree opened up on him, and he killed the insurgent with a deadly burst from his rifle. He continued his tenacious advance, located the enemy gunner and destroyed his position with a grenade. He then led his platoon in an orderly withdrawal to allow artillery strikes to soften the enemy positions. Sergeant First Class Dydasco’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.