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) Patrick Martin Dixon, 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 E, 5th Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Dixon distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 28 May 1969 while serving as a platoon leader during an airmobile operation in Long An Province. As soon as the element disembarked from the insertion helicopter, it came under intense enemy crossfire. Without hesitation, Lieutenant Dixon directed his men to return fire, which forced the hostile forces to disperse. In following the retreating foe, the platoon encountered machine gun fire from a concealed bunker. Lieutenant Dixon pushed one of his men out of the direct line of fire and was wounded as a result of his selfless action. He proceeded to crawl through the heavy barrage toward the hostile emplacement until he could silence the fortification with a fragmentation grenade. Though seriously wounded himself, he crawled to one of his wounded comrades to administer first aid and remove the man to safety. As he started out to retrieve another injured man, he succumbed to his fatal wounds. First Lieutenant Dixon’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.