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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Jeffrey Lawrence Wishik (ASN: 0-5334937), 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 D, 3d Battalion (Airborne), 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. First Lieutenant Wishik distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 18 and 19 March 1968, as a platoon leader during a reconnaissance-in-force mission conducted by his company and an attached reconnaissance platoon near Phuoc Vinh. The combined American forces engaged an estimated reinforced battalion of Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army regulars. The fierce enemy onslaught of small arm, automatic weapon, claymore mine, and grenade fire inflicted heavy casualties on the point platoon, including the platoon leader. Charging through the storm of bullets, Lieutenant Wishik took command of the stricken lead element. While exposed to the hostile fire, he positioned the men and carried the wounded back to the defensive perimeter. Receiving the order to pull back, he directed an orderly withdrawal, and then began to lead a scouting party to secure a trail to a landing zone where the casualties could be evacuated. As they made their way to the site, the communists exploded a command detonated mine, injuring three members of the party and killing the others. As he staggered to his feet, bleeding profusely from multiple fragmentation wounds, Lieutenant Wishik was assaulted by six screaming enemy soldiers. Dropping to one knee, he switched his rifle to full automatic and shot the assailants with one long burst. Through the remainder of the long night the three survivors feigned death to avoid capture by hostile troops who passed within inches of their position. Just before dawn and shortly before they were rescued, a lone North Vietnamese Army regular came upon them. After rifling Lieutenant Wishik’s body to obtain “C” rations, the soldier turned him over, sat on him and began to eat his food. With his last bit of strength, Lieutenant Wishik drew his survival knife and slit the throat of the intruder. First Lieutenant Wishik’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.