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 John Ernest Reinburg, III, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 18 June 1965, while serving with Detachment A, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. The 883d Regional Force Company, Army of the Republic of Vietnam, and four American advisors were returning from a successful predawn combat mission when they were attacked by a superior Viet Cong force. Barely escaping total annihilation, the company began to move onto high ground. By this time two of the American advisors had been critically wounded and the company as desperately short of ammunition. At this moment Sergeant Reinburg arrived at the battle zone in an armed helicopter, bringing with him the much-needed ammunition. After distributing ammunition to two of the platoons, Sergeant Reinburg reorganized them and deployed them in a position to give covering fire to elements of the company still exposed on the forward slope of the hill. He accomplished these tasks with efficiency and at great personal risk, exposing himself many times to the withering fire of the pursuing Viet Cong forces. In response to sniper fire the company was receiving on the left rear flank, Sergeant Reinburg took a squad of Regional Force troops and flushed out the snipers. While still under enemy fire, he returned to the main position, bodily carrying one wounded soldier and assisting another, less seriously wounded. During this period Sergeant Reinburg was seriously wounded, but refused first aid and medical evacuation until the troops were cared for. Ignoring his wounds Sergeant Reinburg continued directing friendly fire. Observing an American advisor lying in an exposed position, he again braved the harrowing Viet Cong fire and crossed the open terrain to assist in moving his comrade to safety. Sergeant Reinburg then located an enemy automatic weapon whose accurate fire was seriously suppressing friendly fire. Disregarding the continuing pain from his wounds, he secured a Regional Force’s machinegun and proceeded to deploy it, crossing some 75 meters of terrain under extremely heavy enemy fire. He was critically wounded while accomplishing this task. Though knocked to the ground, he still attempted to crawl and drag the machinegun into position until he became unconscious. The Regional Force gun crew, inspired by Sergeant Reinburg’s heroic example, overtook him and dragged him to safety and proceeded to deliver successful fire on the enemy weapon emplacement. His actions on this occasion presented a sterling example of the highest standard of professional dedication, performance and extraordinary heroism. Sergeant Reinburg’s outstanding leadership and heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.