Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major (Armor)

    Batallion:

    2d Squadron

    Regiment:

    17th Cavalry Regiment

    Division:

    101st Airborne Division

    Action Date:

    April 27, 1968

    Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2049 (June 11, 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 Major (Armor) Joseph H. Rozelle (ASN: OF-101799), 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 B, 2d Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). Major Rozelle distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 27 April 1968 while leading a mounted ground assault against the enemy at Coa Bang. His second platoon encountered a bunker complex concealed in a treeline, and as six armored personnel carriers neared the position, Major Rozelle’s entire command received intense automatic weapons fire from machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades. He pressed the attack toward the foe with a drive into the treeline in an effort to breach the first bunker line. Heavy ground fire caused the ground element to halt its advance, although Major Rozelle’s element drove relentlessly into the enemy bunker line. During the assault, the machine gunner and the radio-telephone operator on Major Rozelle’s track vehicle were seriously wounded. Major Rozelle then manned the machine gun and continued to do so during the entire mounted portion of the assault. As his armored personnel carrier broke through the treeline, he found his element surrounded and receiving barrages from all sides. He called in air strikes and then advanced to insure that contact was maintained with the disorganized enemy force. Receiving ground fire from the bunker complex again, he called in deadly accurate air strikes which destroyed the enemy emplacements and routed them from the area. Major Rozelle’s courageous determination in the face of heavy enemy resistance significantly contributed to lessening of communist activity in the Coa Bang region. Major Rozelle’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.