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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) William Lorance Dent (ASN: 0-5351389), 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 B, 1st Battalion, 502d Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). First Lieutenant Dent distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 March 1969 while conducting a reconnaissance-in-force mission near the A Shau Valley in the province of Thua Thien. As his company moved along a mountain ridge, the point element encountered hostile sniper fire. He at once set up a defensive formation, ordering two machine guns to be brought forward. Suddenly the enemy opened fire with automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenades, and small arms. Lieutenant Dent moved out under the intense fusillade to retrieve several casualties. When a machine gunner fell wounded, he manned the weapon, providing suppressive fire as he directed his men to move back. He operated the machine gun until it malfunctioned. Then he grabbed his M-16 rifle and continued to deliver lethal volleys on the enemy, until he was wounded in the head. Having supervised the withdrawal of his men to safety, he followed but was wounded again. Only after all of his men had reached a secure position, he relinquished command and later succumbed to his wounds. First Lieutenant Dent’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.