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 Patrick John Oakland (ASN: RA-17681858), 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 E, 3d Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Sergeant Oakland distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 4 April 1968 as a squad leader of an infantry company during a waterborne reconnaissance-in-force operation. The boat column was attacked by a well-entrenched enemy force firing rockets and machine guns. Sergeant Oakland’s troop carrier beached immediately and, despite the heavy volume of hostile fire, he advanced into the face of the enemy. Moving from man to man, he organized his squad for an assault. The enemy’s fire was too intense for his troops to suppress it effectively. Sergeant Oakland fearlessly moved forward alone and killed two Viet Cong in a key machine gun position that was blocking the platoon’s movement. Although wounded in the shoulder, he made his way back to his platoon leader and reported the disposition of the enemy. He then returned to the area of heaviest contact to bring additional fire on the insurgents and to further evaluate the situation. Although wounded a second time by machine gun fire, Sergeant Oakland again maneuvered through the heavy fire to report to his platoon leader. As the numerically superior Viet Cong prepared to assault, his platoon began a withdrawal. Sergeant Oakland voluntarily remained behind to provide covering fire as his comrades re-boarded the troop carrier. After delaying the enemy advance for as long as possible, he camouflaged himself to escape detection and, under cover of darkness returned to friendly lines that night. Sergeant Oakland’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.