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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Paul Fiack, 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 Detachment A-415, Company D, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. First Lieutenant Fiack distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 4 November 1969 while serving as senior advisor to a company of Vietnamese civilian irregulars during operations near Chau Kem Caves in the Seven Mountains region of Chau Doc Province. After pounding the irregulars with over two hundred mortar and rocket rounds, two companies of North Vietnamese troops stormed the allies’ night positions. Before the enemy bombardment had ceased, Lieutenant Fiack made his way through the hail of fire among his men readying them for the expected ground attack. Although inflicted with multiple fragmentation wounds in the hour and a half barrage, Lieutenant Fiack maintained his position and effectively employed his radio to direct tactical air strikes against the onrushing enemy. Shortly after, another rocket impacted near Lieutenant Fiack’s position, wounding him again and destroying his radio. Ignoring his wounds, he immediately secured another radio and continued directing support helicopter gunships and fighter bombers to hostile targets. When the enemy fell back under heavy bombing, Lieutenant Fiack quickly arranged for helicopter ambulances to evacuate his wounded. He carried the assistant advisor, who had suffered critical wounds, to an emergency landing zone. The evacuation helicopter came under heavy ground fire, however, and taking many hits, was forces to lift off without the wounded. Lieutenant Fiack then struggled back to his command post carrying his comrade over the treacherous mountain terrain through persistent enemy sniper fire. When night fell, Lieutenant Fiack began moving his battered force down the mountain toward a prearranged landing zone. Although weakened considerably by his wounds, he took charge of his comrade and carried him down the mountain slope under continuous sniper fire. At one point in their downhill trek, both advisors were again severely wounded when an enemy grenade exploded just feet from them. With uncommon perseverance and devotion to his fellow soldier, Lieutenant Fiack trudged on to the pickup site with his comrade. Once there, he continued to direct air strikes on the advancing enemy until he was persuaded to permit himself to be evacuated. First Lieutenant Fiack’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.