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 Robert W. Maloney (ASN: US-50203024), 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 A, 2d Battalion, 3d Infantry, 199th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light). Specialist Four Maloney distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 16 May 1968 as a ninety millimeter recoilless rifle gunner during operations southwest of Saigon. As his platoon moved to the aid of a company which was heavily engaged with a large enemy force, it was hit on three sides by intense hostile force coming from well fortified enemy positions in the tree lines. Advancing with his unit through knee-deep mud to within fifty meters of the attacker’s emplacements, Specialist Maloney saw two comrades who had been overcome by heat exhaustion. He unhesitatingly crossed open marsh to rescue the two men and carried them one at a time two hundred and fifty meters through hostile fire to safety. Returning to his weapon he continued to engage the enemy and destroyed a key bunker. One squad of his platoon then came under a barrage of enemy mortars and automatic weapons fire from three separate positions. Moving forward seventy-five meters, Specialist Maloney took the emplacements under fire and destroyed all three with devastating accuracy. He next went to aid a squad member who lay injured within twenty-five meters of the enemy fortifications. While bringing the man back to friendly lines he was seriously wounded by an exploding hostile grenade. Specialist Four Maloney’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.