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 Specialist Fourth Class Andrew W. Parrish (ASN: 52620511), 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, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Specialist Four Parrish distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 2 December 1966 while serving as machine gunner during a Viet Cong attack on his squad near Hoi Loi. The friendly unit had assumed a perimeter formation in a ditch when insurgents came into view moving towards them. As the enemy approached to within 100 meters, the squad opened fire. Hostile fire soon began to penetrate the friendly positions from three sides and Specialist Parrish realized that decisive action had to be taken. He left his covered position and single-handedly counterattacked the insurgents. He was wounded in the back, but continued to advance, firing his machine gun steadily. Specialist Parrish was wounded a second time and then a grenade exploded at his feet, damaging his machine gun and wounding him in the legs. Undaunted, he ran back to his squad’s position, picked up a wounded man’s rifle, and again assaulted the enemy. His fierce attacks had an effect and the insurgents began to withdraw. Specialist Parrish then ran out of ammunition and returned to his unit’s perimeter. He ignored his own multiple wounds and administered first aid to his wounded comrades. Almost alone, his fearless attacks on the numerically superior enemy force were responsible for disrupting the hostile attack and saving his unit from being overrun. Specialist Four Parrish’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.