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 Fifth Class Edward Garcia, 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, 4th Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate). Specialist Four Garcia distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 and 23 November 1967 while serving as engineer demolition specialist attached to an airborne infantry company during the battle for Hill 875. While assaulting the hill’s enemy bunker and trench complex on 21 November, his unit was pinned down by a withering barrage of mortar, rocket and automatic weapons fire. Specialist Garcia completely disregarded his safety and charged the position delivering the heaviest volume of fire on his comrades. Armed with a flamethrower, he advanced through a curtain of small arms fire and exploding grenades until he reached a suitable position to attack the bunker. His weapon failed to work, and he sprinted back through the fusillade to secure a second flamethrower and then returned to the front. The second weapon’s fuel failed to ignite, so he sprayed it into the enemy bunker and set it afire with a grenade. The fortification was totally destroyed. On 23 November, Specialist Garcia led a furious assault which reached the top of the hill and forced the enemy to pull back. Armed only with a pistol, he ignored mortar rounds detonating all around him and inspired his comrades to advance in the face of the determined hostile barrage. As he reached the crest, he saw enemy mortars firing from a second hill and remained exposed to a hail of incoming rounds to skillfully direct deadly counter-mortar fire on the hostile emplacements. Specialist Four Garcia’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.