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 (Infantry) William Purnell Baxter (ASN: 0-73602), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. On 27 November 1965, Captain Baxter, newly assigned as an advisor to the 3d Battalion, 7th Regiment, 5th Infantry Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam, was accompanying his unit on a search and destroy mission of known Viet Cong positions at the Michelin Rubber Plantation in the vicinity of Dau Tieng, Republic of Vietnam. The regimental headquarters of the 7th Regiment along with both 1st and 3d Battalions, which were grouping their forces in an assembly area near the assault zone, were suddenly ambushed by a Viet Cong contingent, of approximately regimental size, equipped with mortars, recoilless rifles, automatic weapons, and small arms. The initial attack, which inflicted heavy casualties on the friendly forces, was hardly over when a second attack was undertaken by the insurgents. The ferocity and intensity of the attacks enabled the insurgents to completely surround the few remaining members of the embattled friendly force, whose strength was now approximately seventy Vietnamese soldiers and five American advisors. After a murderous four-hour fire fight, the Viet Cong launched a third attack, characterized by a heavy concentration of heavy weapons and waves of insurgents literally thrown at the friendly forces. From the onset of the attacks, Captain Baxter with complete disregard for his own personal safety, moved from one position to another to give timely advice, direct fire, shift the friendly troops to strengthen their defensive position, and simultaneously maintained radio contact with friendly artillery and air fire support. As the insurgents moved to within grenade range of their position, Captain Baxter requested artillery fire be directed in at his own defensive area. Without regard for his own safety, he remained completely exposed during the artillery strike in order to direct and adjust incoming artillery. Through his inspirational leadership and courage the Viet Cong attack was repelled. Captain Baxter’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.