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 William R. Hofstrom, 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, 501st Airborne Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. Sergeant Hofstrom distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 29 November 1968 while on a search and clear operation south of Hue. On reaching the base of a hill, his element came under heavy enemy automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire. When the point man and the platoon leader were wounded in the initial volley, Sergeant Hofstrom braved the barrage to pull them to safety. Realizing that the unconscious platoon leader was gagging on his own tongue, Sergeant Hofstrom immediately rendered first aid to prevent his strangulation and then carried him to the safety of a hill crest. He then immediately ran back through the fusillade to retrieve the point man. When both men were safe, he organized the remaining men to remove additional casualties and manned an M-60 machine gun to cover their efforts. Sergeant Hofstrom’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.