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 Captain (Infantry) Tennis Hunter Carter (ASN: 0-5301737), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam during the period 9 March 1966 to 12 March 1966, while serving with Detachment A-503, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. At 0350 hours on 9 March 1966, Special Forces Detachments A-102 and A-503 positioned in Camp A Shau, Republic of Vietnam, were attacked by two reinforced Viet Cong battalions supported by small arms, recoilless rifles, mortar, and anti-aircraft weapons. Captain Carter, commanding Detachment A-503, was asleep when the attack had opened. Several rounds exploded within his quarters, slightly wounding and stunning him. With disregard for his own personal safety, he ran outside some fifteen meters through the intense fire to assume his battle position on the camp’s South Wall where he found the friendly defenders shocked and confused by the sudden bombardment. Captain Carter steadied and positioned his men right before the insurgents launched a two-company sized assault. The friendly defenders were able to repulse the attack causing the hostile forces heavy casualties. The attack continued throughout the day. Heavy and accurate small arms fire was not enough to stop Captain Carter from moving about to steady and encourage his men while attending to the many wounded. Early in the afternoon Captain Carter volunteered to accompany a select detail to secure the Camp’s airstrip outside the East wall in order that two aircraft might land to assess the situation and evacuate a seriously wounded American. Upon landing, the aircraft and Captain Carter’s detail came under heavy small arms fire. Being exposed to the fire, Captain Carter returned fire towards the insurgents until the evacuation and take-off of the two aircraft was completed. At 0400 hours on 10 March 1966, the insurgents launched the main assault at the East and South walls. Captain Carter, with the majority of his men on the North wall, braved the fierce insurgent fire to cross the camp to help the defenders on the South wall hold off the attack. Later on the camp’s East wall was overrun by the insurgents putting Captain Carter and his men in a deadly crossfire which caused heavy casualties to the friendly defenders. Captain Carter and his men were able to hold off the Viet Cong for another seven hours until rescue aircraft could airlift a portion of the defenders from the battlefield. With his outnumbered men that remained in the camp, Captain Carter led two counterattacks at the insurgents but was driven back both times. At 1700 hours on 10 March 1966, the remaining defenders were ordered to withdraw from the camp and fight their way some 300 meters north to a helicopter landing zone. Again, personally braving the fire, Captain Carter rushed to help another comrade open a gate outside the North wall so the defenders could get through the camp’s wire obstacles. This action caused him to miss the rescue helicopters. He and a small group of defenders were forced to evade the insurgents in the dense jungle until they were rescued on 12 March 1966. Captain Carter’s extraordinary heroism and gallantry in action are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.