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 Warrant Officer One (WO-1) Stephen Robert Purchase, 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 159th Medical Detachment (Helicopter Ambulance). Warrant Officer Purchase distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 7 April 1972, while serving as the Pilot of an unarmed medical evacuation helicopter attempting to evacuate three wounded American Advisors and an ARVN (South Vietnamese Army) captain who were completely surrounded by an estimated battalion of North Vietnamese Army troops. After landing at the staging area in Song Be, Warrant Officer Purchase received a briefing during which he was informed that the enemy was in possession of numerous anti-aircraft weapons and that continuous air strikes had failed to thwart the enemy offensive. Demonstrating indomitable courage, disregard for his own safety and profound concern for his fellow soldiers, Warrant Officer Purchase volunteered to attempt a rescue even though three previous attempts that day had failed. At the rescue site the enemy troops began to make bold advances on the American position despite heavy rocket attacks by helicopter gunships. Realizing that further delay might cost the lives of the wounded, he began his approach and landed on a road in the area of the wounded soldiers. Because they could not be located, he hovered his aircraft along the road searching for them, flying in extraordinarily intense fire directed at him from all positions about the aircraft. During this time, his aircraft commander was struck and killed by enemy fire. Warrant Officer Purchase courageously piloted his aircraft from the area despite the overwhelming firepower that was not being directed against him. Warrant Officer Purchase’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.