Navy Federal Credit Union

Phan-Ngoc Luong was one of THREE South Vietnamese Soldiers awarded the U.S. Army’s Distinguished Service Cross. He was actually recommended for award of the Medal of Honor, and is believed to be the only Vietnamese to received that distinction. Since the Medal of Honor cannot be awarded to foreign soldiers, he received the Distinguished Service Cross. It is the highest award that can be presented to any soldier serving as a member of an Allied, Foreign military force.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    Foreign

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    3d Regiment

    Action Date:

    January 30 – February 24, 1968

    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 13 (March 6, 1969)

    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 Captain Phan-Ngoc Luong, Army of the Republic of Vietnam, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with 1st Battalion, 3d Regiment, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Luong distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions during the period 30 January 1968 to 24 February 1968 during the defense of Hue City, South Vietnam. During a battle against numerically superior forces, Captain Luong fearlessly exposed himself to enemy fire several times to divert the enemy from launching an attack against his tenuous position. At one point, an incoming mortar round exploded less than five meters from his position, knocking him to the ground, but he continued to direct the defense. A movement to escape the threatened encirclement of his battalion was begun and the battalion successfully secured a beachhead and started to board junks. At this critical moment a North Vietnamese Army machine gun opened fire on the wading troops, causing panic and confusion. With utter disregard for his personal safety, Captain Luong calmly waded out to the troops and directed the exposed troops to return fire and continued boarding junks. Captain Luong’s conspicuous gallantry and heroic action were in the highest tradition of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam.