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 Charles N. Boyd (ASN: RA-15450998), 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 Troop A, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Platoon Sergeant Boyd distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 15 February 1968 as acting platoon leader of an armored cavalry troop on a search and destroy operation in the village of Thon Hai. As his unit moved into the hamlet to search for enemy elements, it was suddenly attacked by a well-entrenched North Vietnamese Army force firing automatic weapons and small arms. Exposing himself to a hail of bullets, Sergeant Boyd delivered devastating machine gun fire into the enemy positions to suppress the fusillade and to mark targets for the rest of his platoon. His unit’s armored vehicles could not advance on the insurgents and engage them at close quarters because of the thick underbrush and rice paddy dikes in the area. Completely disregarding his safety, Sergeant Boyd dismounted his vehicle and armed only with grenades and a pistol, fearlessly assaulted into the face of the ravaging enemy fire. He fought his way through the dense underbrush to a North Vietnamese trench and killed two insurgents with his pistol. The enemy concentrated murderous fire toward him, but he continued his charge and killed two more insurgents by throwing grenades in their emplacement. Despite all attempts to stop him, he advanced deeper into the fortification complex and killed another two enemy soldiers in a bunker with pistol fire. His heroic actions inspired his men to fight aggressively and annihilate the North Vietnamese forces. Platoon Sergeant Boyd’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.