The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) William DeBrece Cody (ASN: 0-5352323), 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, 11th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized). First Lieutenant Cody distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 27 March 1969 as a platoon leader during an attempt by his company to capture a hill just south of the Demilitarized Zone which was the key terrain feature overlooking the infiltration route of a North Vietnamese regiment. Encountering an intense barrage from enemy bunkers while leading his men up the right side of the hill, Lieutenant Cody called for artillery and air strikes. Under cover of this supporting fire, he again advanced and continued to spearhead the attack even after receiving wounds from hostile mortar fragments. When an enemy machine gun emplacement opened fire, inflicting several casualties, he single-handedly assaulted through a hail of bullets and killed all three communists at the position with accurate bursts from his rifle. Inspired by his leadership, his troops overran the entrenched forces on the forward edge of the objective. As Lieutenant Cody and his men made their way through increasing hostile fire, he was fatally wounded by enemy mortar fragments. First Lieutenant Cody’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.