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 Larry Marvin Twiford (ASN: RA-19859904), 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 Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Specialist Fourth Class Twiford distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 4 December 1967 while serving as an artillery radio-telephone operator with a Riverine Assault convoy on the Rach Ruong River. While on a search and destroy mission the convoy was suddenly ambushed with rocket, machine gun and small arms fire by an enemy force well-entrenched along both banks of the river. Braving the deadly barrage, Specialist Twiford took a position on the forward deck of the command and control boat and attempted to suppress the attack. When a comrade was seriously wounded, he moved through the withering hail of enemy fire and, covering the fallen soldier with his body, called to others to move the man to safety. While two men carried the casualty below deck, Specialist Twiford kept a steady volume of accurate fire on the enemy. As the boat was moving out of the ambush area, a rocket struck nearby, wounding him grievously. Disregarding his critical injuries, he held his position and continued to engage the communists until his boat escaped the killing zone. Specialist Fourth Class Twiford’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.