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 Jackie W. Steinman, 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 B, 2d Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Steinman distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 14 May 1969 while serving as team leader during a reconnaissance-in-force operation near Thu Thua in Long An Province. As the members of his unit swept through a defense nipa palm grove, they ran on to a concealed bunker complex and were pinned down by hostile automatic weapons fire only ten meters from the enemy. Specialist Steinman assaulted a machine gun emplacement to his immediate front and eliminated it with hand grenades. Then, showering the fortifications around him with the last of his grenades, he secured the enemy machine gun and returned to his platoon’s position. After obtaining more ammunition, he began maneuvering toward a member of his squad who lay isolated behind a hostile position. Slowly crawling to the rear of the nearest bunker, he destroyed the position with a grenade. At that moment he spotted a North Vietnamese soldier approaching the American. Specialist Steinman quickly fired his rifle killing the aggressor and laid an intense barrage of fire to cover his squad member’s withdrawal. Noticing one last enemy bunker, Specialist Steinman worked his way to an advantageous position and opened fire. When his weapon jammed, he threw his remaining grenades. As he moved toward his platoon, he encountered a wounded American. Using the casualty’s rifle, he provided suppressive fire until an ambulance helicopter arrived to evacuate the wounded soldier. Specialist Four Steinman’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.