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 Fifth Class William W. Hook (ASN: RA-19669954), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed force in the Republic of Vietnam while serving with the 82d Medical Detachment, 658th Medical Company, 68th Medical Group, 44th Medical Brigade. Specialist Five Hook distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 26 March 1967 while serving as Air Ambulance Aidman of an aeromedical helicopter, supporting infantry operations in the Tam Binh district. While landing to rescue the crew of a crippled assault helicopter, Specialist Hook’s craft took several hits from a heavy barrage of enemy automatic weapons. The helicopter touched down within fifty meters of the hostile positions, but with complete disregard for his own safety, he dashed from the craft to aid two of the crewmembers of the downed plane and guide them back through the hail of fire. As the Viet Cong fire concentrated on the rescue operations, he exposed himself time after time to direct the loading of the casualties and aid the wounded. Noticing an enemy machine gun nearby, Specialist Hook grabbed a rifle and began to fire on the position. Hostile fire knocked the rifle from his hands, but he ignored his own safety and remained exposed to aid his now wounded crew chief. He was injured when his plane was shot down on takeoff, but he refused aid and immediately began calling in air strikes on the enemy using the plane’s radio. He then moved toward friendly positions carrying a wounded comrade. When the evacuation helicopters arrived, he sprinted from cover and led his men through withering fire to the planes. Looking back, he saw a wounded man in need of assistance and daringly returned to help him to safety. Once more before takeoff he ignored his own security to jump off the helicopter and brave the bullet-swept battlefield to rescue a comrade unable to move. Specialist Five Hook’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.