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 Michael Lewis Dehart (ASN: US-51800827), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action on 10 April 1969, while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company E , 2d Battalion (Airmobile), 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) in Vietnam. On that day. Staff Sergeant DeHart’s platoon was ambushed by an enemy force estimated to be at least company-size delivering a withering volume of fire from the front and left flank of the platoon, seriously wounding a machine gunner in the lead squad and temporarily incapacitating the platoon leader. With complete disregard for his own safety, he immediately rose from his position near the rear of the platoon column and delivered a heavy volume of suppressive fire from his rifle as he and the platoon medic moved through enemy fire to the front of the column to aid the wounded machine gunner. Using the wounded Soldier’s machine gun. Staff Sergeant DeHart continued providing suppressive fire to protect the medic while he treated the wounded man. When the medic was killed while attempting to move the wounded man. Staff Sergeant DeHart, now aware of the platoon leader’s status, directed the platoon to take cover in a large bomb crater. During an intense two-hour firefight, he was the only man moving around within the crater. With total disregard for his own safety and at great risk to his life, he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire as he moved from man to man to direct the defense, redistribute ammunition and water, and give encouragement. With dusk rapidly approaching and the enemy now within 25 yards and threatening to overrun his platoon. Staff Sergeant DeHart, at extreme risk to his life, rose up atop the bomb crater and, shooting from the hip with his machine gun, delivered a devastating volume of fire that helped silence the enemy machine guns, killed a number of enemy soldiers, broke the forward momentum of the attack, and forced the enemy to pull back. Ordering his men to withdraw to an extraction site, he followed behind, continuing to fire his machine gun into the enemy until out of ammunition, then switched to his rifle. Staff Sergeant DeHart was the last man to board the extraction helicopters and while still fully exposed and braced on a skid, he continued firing into the enemy as his helicopter lifted off. Staff Sergeant DeHart’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.