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 Chief Warrant Officer Robert Louis Horst, United States Army (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 7 April 1972 while serving as the Aircraft Commander of an unarmed medical evacuation helicopter in the 283d Medical Detachment, while attempting to evacuate three American advisors and one Army of the Republic of Vietnam captain after their convoy had been ambushed by an estimated battalion of highly trained North Vietnamese troops north of the city of An Loc, Republic of Vietnam. Chief Warrant Officer Horst heard about the stranded, critically-wounded Americans, who at the time were completely surrounded by the North Vietnamese ground element, as he flew out to evacuate an American medic who had been wounded while his crew unsuccessfully attempted to extract the besieged Americans. After landing at the staging area of Song Be, chief Warrant Officer Horst received a briefing during which he was informed that the enemy was in possession of numerous anti-aircraft weapons, and the continuous air strikes delivered to the enemy element had been to no avail in slaking the withering fire directed on any and all aircraft attempting to fly in the vicinity. Chief Warrant Officer Horst demonstrating indomitable courage, complete disregard for his own safety and profound concern for his fellow soldiers, elected to go to the site and attempt a rescue. Although three attempts had been previously made to extract the wounded personnel, they had all bee repulsed by the deadly hail of enemy fire. At the site the enemy troops began to make bold advances on the American position despite heavy rocket attacks by the helicopter gunships. Chief Warrant Officer Horst sensing that any further delay might cost the lives of the wounded on the ground, began his approach and landed on the highway. When he did not immediately see the wounded Americans, he hovered down the highway amidst withering fire directed at him from all positions around the aircraft. It was during this heroic and humane attempt to locate the survivors, that chief Warrant Officer Horst was struck and killed by enemy fire. Chief Warrant Officer Horst’s feats of gallantry were an inspiration to all who observed and reflect great credit on him and the United States Army.