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 Sergeant First Class Donald W. Kelly, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop B, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Platoon Sergeant Kelly distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 April 1969 while leading a platoon on a reconnaissance-in-force mission near Dau Tieng. When a North Vietnamese force opened fire on the troop’s tracked vehicles with rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons, Sergeant Kelly instantly arranged his platoon on line and assaulted the hostile positions directly. As the battle raged, he secured three tanks and directed them to evacuate the wounded from the area. He then continued his assault on the enemy and succeeded in destroying five bunkers and four rocket-propelled grenade positions. Observing the deadly fusillade from a recoilless rifle team, he fired his machine gun on the emplacement to eliminate it. When the troop broke contact with the hostile element, Sergeant Kelly supervised the salvage and withdrawal of disabled vehicles. Platoon Sergeant Kelly’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.