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 Sergeant Burrwood Yost, Jr. (ASN: RA-13756592), 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 C, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 502d Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Sergeant Yost distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 8 September 1966 while serving as squad leader during a search and destroy mission near Tuy Hoa. As the last helicopter of the platoon landed, the whole unit received intense hostile fire from three sides. Sergeant Yost observed a partially concealed, friendly machine gun, whose ammunition lay 50 meters away. Calling for suppressive fire, with complete disregard for his safety, Sergeant Yost ran across the 50 meters of open terrain to deliver the ammunition. Later, while receiving intense hostile fire, he organized a fire team that was cutoff from its leader. During this action he dove for an incoming grenade and hurled it into the open where it exploded harmlessly, an action which he subsequently repeated three times. He then jumped up and charged a machine gun position 50 meters away and succeeded in killing the surprised Viet Cong. Sergeant Yost repeatedly threw grenades into the hostile emplacements while receiving hostile fire. This enabled the platoon to drive the Viet Cong out of their entrenched positions. Later, while in pursuit of the insurgents, Sergeant Yost led his squad to within very close range of a prepared hostile force before being detected. To clarify the positions of the Viet Cong, Sergeant Yost called to the insurgents to draw their fire. Instructing his machine gunner to lay down a base of fire, Sergeant Yost threw grenades into the enemy positions, forcing them to withdraw. Sergeant Yost’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.