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 Charles Joseph Houthoofd (ASN: RA-16929738), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company D, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Specialist Fourth Class Houthoofd distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 18 July 1968, while serving as a medical aidman for an armored cavalry unit. During a mounted sweep through a rubber plantation near Loc Ninh his element was suddenly engaged by a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force which unleashed with a withering volume of small arms, automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fire. One of the tanks immediately received three direct hits from enemy antitank projectiles, severing one man’s leg and injuring the vehicle’s entire crew. Specialist Houthoofd, with total disregard for his safety, dismounted the vehicle in which he was riding and dashed one hundred meters through intense hostile fire to help his wounded comrades. He rapidly administered first aid to them and remained in the extremely vulnerable position to give vital intravenous transfusions. Suddenly an enemy rocket grenade detonated close to Specialist Houthoofd, rupturing both of his ear drums and wounding him in the right arm and groin. Refusing medical aid and evacuation for himself, he remained on the battlefield to care for other casualties until the fighting ended three and a half hours later. Specialist Fourth Class Houthoofd’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.