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 Harold Thompson Palmer, Jr. (ASN: RA-13562217), 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 Detachment A-253, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. On 12 April 1966, Sergeant Palmer was serving as an Advisor to a Civilian Irregular Defense Group on a reconnaissance patrol operating in the Ia Drang Valley, Republic of Vietnam. As the patrol screened their assigned area, they came under intense hostile automatic weapons fire directed by a well-fortified Viet Cong force wounding the patrol’s two point men and halting their progress. After hastily organizing the evacuation of the wounded, Sergeant Palmer led the patrol in an assault which routed the insurgents from their concealed positions. As the friendly forces pursued the Viet Cong, they came upon a well-positioned insurgent force. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Palmer exposed himself to intense automatic fire and single-handedly attacked and destroyed two Viet Cong machine gun positions. Sergeant Palmer radioed for air support when the Viet Cong began to move reinforcing infantry to the flanks of the patrol and courageously adjusted the 20-mm. cannon fire to within five meters of his position. As the insurgents pressed their attack, Sergeant Palmer skillfully regrouped the patrol, organized a withdrawal through the undergrowth and, upon reaching a suitable landing zone, immediately radioed for helicopters which evacuated twenty-five of the original thirty-man patrol. Sergeant Palmer’s extraordinary heroism and gallantry in actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.