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) Conrad D. Braun (ASN: 0-5329769), 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 C, 2d Battalion, 8th Infantry, 2d Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. Second Lieutenant Braun distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 16 February 1967 while serving as platoon leader during a search and destroy mission near the Cambodian border. As Lieutenant Braun’s platoon approached a village, it was pinned down in a vicious crossfire of machine guns, then surrounded by an overwhelmingly larger hostile force. The Viet Cong initiated a heavy mortar barrage which steadily took its toll of the friendly platoon. As the crisis deepened, however, Lieutenant Braun’s presence of mind and control of his men never faltered. Although the insurgents began to attack in force his hemmed in platoon, he called for his artillery and armed helicopter support and prevented the enemy from assembling in effective strength. Lieutenant Braun dauntlessly remained in exposed positions to guide the battle. At one point, he left his cover long enough for a hostile rifleman to shoot the radio handset from his hands. He unhesitatingly ran out into the hail of fire and recovered the instrument that was so vital to air and artillery support elements. When reinforcements finally reached his platoon, Lieutenant Braun and one other man were the only unwounded defenders. Lieutenant Braun on several occasions fearlessly ran out into the field of fire to bring his wounded comrades to safety. His courageous actions inspired his men to stave off and kill 94 of the larger Viet Cong force. Second Lieutenant Braun’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.