The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class Michael Cornelius Whalen (ASN: US-21328280), 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 B, 4th Battalion, 3d Infantry, Americal Division. Specialist Four Whalen distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 28 February 1969 as a medic during a search and clear operation near the village of Minh Khanh in Quang Ngai Province. His company came under intense hand grenade, small arms and automatic weapons attack, wounding several men. Hearing a cry for a medic and for more ammunition, he courageously left his position of relative safety with the desperately needed ammunition and crossed approximately two hundred meters of open terrain to reach the besieged element. As he exposed himself to the enemy fusillade to assist the casualties, he was wounded in the leg, but he disregarded his painful injury and continued to help the other casualties until he was fatally wounded by enemy fire. Specialist Four Whalen’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.