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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Joe Angel Kendall (ASN: 0-5337410), 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 A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. Second Lieutenant Kendall distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 4 November 1967 while serving as platoon leader of an infantry company on a sweep operation near Loc Ninh. While struggling through dense bamboo jungle, the lead elements of his platoon came under small arms fire from the front. After quickly deploying his men in a defensive formation and directing their fire in the direction of the enemy attack, he contacted his point elements by radio and directed them to return to the platoon’s position. He detected well-concealed enemy firing lanes cut in the bamboo and realized that his scouts would have to cross them to reach his perimeter. Despite the increasing intensity of the hostile barrage, Lieutenant Kendall crawled across the bullet-swept firing lanes, contacted the forward elements, and led them safely back to his platoon’s location. As the fight continued, one of his men was wounded and trapped in a lane. Disregarding his personal safety, he moved through a hail of bullets to reach the man and pull him to safety. He was wounded during the rescue but refused aid and continued to direct the actions of his troops. Determining that the Viet Cong were moving from lane to lane, he set up machine guns in momentarily abandoned firing strips to engage the insurgents when they returned. One gunner became separated from his crew, and Lieutenant Kendall dashed through heavy fire to re-supply him with ammunition and encourage the man. As artillery support began to pound the enemy positions, he led the platoon’s withdrawal to join the main force in a nearby rubber plantation. His courage and leadership in close combat were a source of inspiration to his men and prevented his platoon from suffering heavy casualties. Second Lieutenant Kendall’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.