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 Specialist Fourth Class Richard Lee Waycaster (ASN: US-53527713), 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 A, 2d Battalion, 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. Specialist Four Waycaster distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 February 1969 as a machine gunner during a search and clear mission near Landing Zone Saint Barbara in Tay Ninh Province. While the point element of his company was crossing an open field, it came under heavy fire from concealed positions and several members were seriously wounded. Specialist Waycaster immediately advanced through the bullet-swept area, firing his machine gun as he went. Reaching an unprotected sector, he laid down an effective barrage which silenced the enemy automatic weapons positions. After taking his machine gun to another point from which he could cover several of his comrades who were evacuating the casualties, he was wounded by hostile automatic weapons fire, but he continued to provide suppressive fire until the wounded had been brought to safety. As he started to withdraw to his company’s defensive perimeter, he spotted a wounded comrade who had not been seen by the others and moved to assist him. When he had reached the fallen trooper the enemy unleashed a heavy volume of fire at the two men. Specialist Waycaster covered the man’s body with his own and was morally wounded. Specialist Four Waycaster’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.