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 Eldon Leo Baker, 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 as a Squad Leader, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. On 7 February 1966, while engaged in a combat mission to relieve elements of a rifle company which was pinned down by a well-fortified and numerically superior Viet Cong force, Sergeant Baker maneuvered his squad to a position approximately one hundred meters from the hostile main battle emplacements. Continuing to evince his indomitable courage, he crawled across a rice paddy under a hail of withering gun fire to reach the enemy position. Although he sustained multiple wounds by enemy gun fire during this action, he turned and rallied his men to continue the advance. Undaunted by a throat wound which impaired his speech, he crawled to a second enemy position, signaling his men to follow him. He then pulled himself to his feet and used his pistol to destroy the enemy within the bunker, making it possible for his squad to advance and rout the enemy completely. When medical and evacuation facilities were available, he refused medical attention and evacuation until all of the wounded received medical treatment. Sergeant Baker’s conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism on the battlefield, and deep concern for his fellow soldiers are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the armed forces of his country.