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 Captain (Armor) Malcolm Dean Otis (ASN: 0-98880), 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 B, 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division. Captain Otis distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 January 1968 at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Saigon. Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army forces launched a major offensive against the Saigon area with the mission of seizing control of critical allied military installations. One of the largest of the attacks was directed against the west end of Tan Son Nhut Air Base. The enemy succeeded in penetrating the defensive wire there and occupied the west end of the runway. Captain Otis quickly assembled his force and moved to the battle scene. Arriving at the gate of Tan Son Nhut, he immediately deployed his troop to the west into the face of the insurgent forces. Without losing the impetus of his maneuver, Captain Otis then wheeled to the south and attacked directly into the enemy flank. Even though greatly outnumbered by the enemy, the speed and ferocity of the assault forced the insurgents to take cover or flee. Throughout the seven and one-half hour battle for the hotly contested terrain, Captain Otis countered each enemy movement with a flanking force and heavy fire from his guns. Continuously exposing himself to the intense enemy fusillade, he moved from position to position on the battlefield, directing the attack and encouraging his men’s fight. When the enemy had been decisively beaten, he directed his forces in a detailed sweep through the area. Captain Otis’ 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.