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 Fourth Class Byron W. Thompson (ASN: US-56419800), 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, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Thompson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 12 July 1967 while serving as point man of the lead platoon of an infantry company on a reinforcing mission deep in hostile territory. While moving through dense jungle toward a beleaguered friendly unit, his company was savagely attacked by an estimated North Vietnamese regiment firing rockets, mortars and recoilless rifles. Completely ignoring his own safety, Specialist Thompson volunteered to provide rear security for a withdrawal despite bullets and shrapnel striking all around him. He was wounded while fighting through the first line of the enemy, but he refused medical aid and inflicted heavy casualties on the attackers with deadly rifle fire. He was seriously wounded and thrown to the ground by an exploding hand grenade while piercing the last enemy positions, but he continued to expose himself to the hostile weapons to cover his comrades. Three enemy soldiers rushed him when he ran out of ammunition soon afterwards, but he unhesitantly stood his ground in the face of the savage charge and killed two of the attackers with his knife and the third in a furious hand-to-hand battle. Before reaching safety, he killed thirty North Vietnamese soldiers with deadly rifle fire and close-in fighting. His fearless actions, though he was seriously wounded and under intense fire, contributed greatly to the successful withdrawal of his company in the heat of battle against the numerically superior enemy force. Specialist Four Thompson’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.