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 Private First Class Robert A. Favreau, 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, 4th Battalion, 3d Infantry, Americal Division. Private First Class Favreau distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 16 August 1969 while participating in a search and clear operation near Nuoc Luc. His company was descending a ridge when the lead platoon was fired upon from the front and flanks by a company of North Vietnamese regulars occupying fortified bunkers. In an attempt to lessen the effectiveness of the enemy’s suppressive fire, Private Favreau made his way under cover fire within meters of one bunker on the right flank and attacked the fortification with hand grenades. When suppressive fire continued from the emplacement, Private Favreau assaulted it a second time, but the enemy fortification again withstood the blasts of hand grenades. Later on in the fighting, Private Favreau saw two comrades fall wounded in an area exposed to hostile fire and quickly moved under fire to their assistance. As he began to move the wounded soldiers to cover, an enemy grenade was thrown into their midst. Without hesitation, Private Favreau gathered up the grenade and hurled it back at the enemy before it exploded. He then dragged his wounded comrades to a safer position where they were given medical assistance. Private Favreau then maneuvered on an enemy bunker to the platoon’s left flank. As he rose up to toss a grenade inside the fortification, he was hit in the abdomen by a burst of enemy rifle fire. Despite the severity of his wounds, Private Favreau stubbornly raised himself up and destroyed the bunker’s four defenders with a well-placed grenade. Not wanting to endanger his comrades by having them make their way under fire to retrieve him, Private Favreau then crawled some fifteen meters to a position where he could be safely given emergency first aid. Private First Class Favreau’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.