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 Richard G. Spence, 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, 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Sergeant Spence distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 5 April 1969 while serving as squad leader. As his company was moving through the hills west of Kontum, a North Vietnamese force opened fire with rockets, mortars and small arms. Because two of his men were cut off from the rest of the squad during the initial exchange of fire, Sergeant Spence quickly maneuvered through the hostile barrage to the isolated men and led them back to the squad’s position. He then called in and adjusted supporting fire from gunships and artillery. Observing two enemy soldiers preparing to launch a rocket on his position, he immediately shot both and then turned to eliminate three who were flanking his squad’s position. On three separate occasions when hostile forces stormed the element’s location, Sergeant Spence met the brunt of the assault and repelled the assailants with determined volleys of rifle fire. Crawling forward in order to destroy a bunker and its occupants, he encountered a wounded comrade whom he carried to safety. When the enemy initiated an intense mortar barrage, he maneuvered through enemy-held terrain to silence the mortar emplacement with well-thrown grenades. Sergeant Spence’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.