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 Captain (Corps of Engineers) Gregory Patrick Kernahan, Jr. (ASN: OF-100823), 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 the 585th Engineer Company, 937th Engineer Group, 18th Engineer Brigade. Captain Kernahan distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as a Convoy Commander near Pleiku and Kontum, Republic of Vietnam, on 6 March 1968. Captain Kernahan’s unit was ambushed by a hostile force. His personal courage and inspiring leadership while directing the preparation of the convoy’s defense and care for the wounded resulted in a well-organized defensive action. After his vehicle had completely cleared the kill zone, Captain Kernahan voluntarily returned to aid his comrades. He appeared to be oblivious of the intense enemy fire and knew that moving from vehicle to vehicle was extremely dangerous. Leaving the shelter of a dump truck to reach and aid several wounded men, he himself was wounded by small arms fire. As his own wounds were being treated, he continued to give directions as to how the defense was to be established and instructions for the care of the wounded. Almost an hour passed before the evacuation of the wounded commenced. Captain Kernahan directed this action and insisted on being the last evacuated. As a result, he died before reaching the hospital. Captain Kernahan’s extraordinary heroism and intrepidity, at the cost of his own life, are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.