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 First Class John K. McDermott (ASN: 13052652), 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 B, 229th Engineer Battalion, 937th Engineer Group, 18th Engineer Brigade. Sergeant First Class McDermott distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 11 November 1967 while serving with his unit during the conduct of a mission in Kontum Province. He was driving the lead vehicle of a convoy on its way to repair a bridge which had been partially destroyed by enemy activity, when a company-size Viet Cong force unleashed a brutal ambush. A recoilless rifle round exploded against Sergeant McDermott’s truck, but he managed to control the badly damaged vehicle and steered it off the road to allow the rest of the convoy to pass. Heedless of intense small arms and automatic weapons fire, he ran toward the rear of the truck to organize his men and move them out of the killing zone. As he came around the side of the truck, three enemy soldiers armed with automatic weapons were preparing to fire on the battalion chaplain. Firing from his hip, Sergeant McDermott killed the three insurgents. Disregarding his own safety, he continued moving through the ambush site to rally his troops. As he did so, two more Viet Cong leaped upon him and knocked him to the ground. He struggled free, wounding both of them, and then braved a savage fusillade to drive several of the convoy vehicles out of the ambush site. Gallantly leading his platoon in a fierce counterattack, he personally destroyed an enemy machine gun position. Sergeant McDermott continued to move forward under intense fire and exploding grenades, inspiring and directing his men until the Viet Cong were defeated. His unhesitating and courageous actions in close combat with a numerically superior hostile force were responsible for saving the lives of many fellow soldiers. Platoon Sergeant McDermott’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.