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 First Class Richard L. Miller, 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-333, Company A, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Sergeant First Class Miller distinguished himself while serving as an advisor to a Vietnamese strike force during a reconnaissance-in-force operation deep in enemy territory. During the period 5 June through 10 June 1969, Sergeant Miller’s force was in almost constant contact with Vietcong and regular North Vietnamese Army units as it swept through the villages and surrounding areas of Hung Phat and Soc Trauh. In every contact and pitched battle, Sergeant Miller was always at the forefront of the heaviest fighting, exhorting his strike force troopers to hold their ground amid fierce enemy onrushes and leading them in daring assaults against superior numbers of the enemy. Sergeant Miller boldly exposed himself again and again to intense enemy fire as he rushed to forward positions to direct his force’s return fire and to coordinate tactical and artillery air strikes against the communists. Even a painful shrapnel wound to the head late in the operation could not deter Sergeant Miller from being among his men and commanding their every maneuver against the adversary. Day and night for six days, he drove himself with little sleep or food as he pressed his small force onward in relentless quest for victory over the enemy. The success of this extended operation, pitting a small but determined strike force against overwhelming numbers of the enemy, was a tribute to the endurance and undaunted fighting spirit of Sergeant Miller. Sergeant First Class Miller’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself and his unit and the United States Army.