Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3273 (August 23, 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 pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Specialist Fifth Class David L. Tiffany, 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, 5th Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Specialist Five Tiffany distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 28 May 1969 as a senior medical aidman on an airmobile operation in Long An Province. Immediately upon being inserted into its area of operation, Specialist Tiffany’s platoon came into heavy contact with and enemy force. Returning fire, they forced the enemy troops to disperse. While moving in pursuit of the fleeing enemy, the platoon again came under intense fire and suffered casualties in the command element. Specialist Tiffany, who had been at the rear of the sweep formation, moved to the point of heaviest contact where his wounded comrades lay exposed to the hail of enemy ordnance. Although he was pinned down before he could reach the wounded men, he managed to silence a hostile emplacement long enough to run to the casualties. He quickly administered aid to the injured men and carried on casualty to safety. Returning to the center of conflict, he spotted his wounded platoon leader and immediately moved to his assistance. While attempting to rescue his comrade, he was mortally wounded. Specialist Five Tiffany’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.