The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Staff Sergeant Daniel A. Carrizales (ASN: RA-18495116), 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 Troop G, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Staff Sergeant Carrizales distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while leading the scout section of his troop on a mission to search and destroy the abandoned village of Lang Nam near An Loc. On 7 June 1969, as the armored troop began to file across a culvert, a large North Vietnamese force unleashed a barrage of rifle and rocket-propelled grenade fire. As Sergeant Carrizales moved forward to the aid of the lead element, he was wounded by small arms fire; yet he continued his counterassault, riddling the hostile positions with fifty-caliber machine gun fire. As his vehicle over-ran the first line of enemy bunkers, Sergeant Carrizales sustained a second facial wound that necessitated his using hand and arm signals to direct his platoon’s movement. Despite this and additional wounds, Sergeant Carrizales refused medical treatment throughout the grueling six-hour engagement with the hostile force, until the enemy’s defeat was assured. Staff Sergeant Carrizales’ 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.