Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Specialist Fourth Class

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Division:

    5th Infantry Division (Mechanized)

    Action Date:

    June 4, 1971

    Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1149 (May 23, 1972)

    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 Specialist Fourth Class Walter George Millsap, 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 Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized). Specialist Fourth Class Millsap distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 4 June 1971 while serving at an isolated radio relay site surrounded by the enemy. When his outpost received enemy small arms, automatic weapons, rocket and mortar fire, from a superior-sized enemy force, Specialist Millsap repeatedly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire as he moved about the camp’s perimeter firing his rifle and throwing hand grenades at the assaulting enemy. When his supply of grenades was exhausted, he moved to a machinegun and directed accurate, suppressive fire upon the enemy. Disregarding rocket and mortar rounds impacting about him, Specialist Millsap continued to man his machinegun and inflict severe losses upon the enemy until an enemy rocket detonated beside his emplacement and threw him from his position. Receiving emergency medical treatment, Specialist Millsap returned to the machinegun despite fire directed at him as he moved to his former position. Once again, he directed intense fire at the enemy. His emplacement sustained yet another rocket hit which this time destroyed his machinegun and wounded him for the second time. Disregarding his wounds, Specialist Millsap fired his rifle and threw hand grenades at the enemy until advised to withdraw from the perimeter and await extraction from the outpost. Assisting a wounded officer, he was wounded for a third time by an incoming rocket round. He shielded the officer with his body and absorbed the blast that would have wounded the officer. Specialist Millsap continued to assist his wounded fellow soldiers until all men on the outpost could be evacuated. His calmness, determination and extraordinary concern for this companions served as an inspiration to those that were with him. His heroic actions resulted in significant losses among the enemy and prevented the death or possible capture of those on the outpost. Specialist Millsap’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.