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 Captain (Signal Corps) Linus Gerard K. Chock (ASN: 0-5705089), 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 183d Aviation Company, 223d Combat Support Aviation Battalion. Captain Chock distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 29 November 1966 while flying a light reconnaissance aircraft escorting a Vietnamese Army convoy near Bao Loc. At 1020 hours, the convoy came under heavy automatic weapons and recoilless rifle fire from a Viet Cong battalion. The troops in the convoy were pinned down by the vicious attack, and were unable to establish a perimeter. Captain Chock called for supporting artillery fire and air strikes, but realized that more immediate action was necessary to save the vulnerable ground force. Although his aircraft was only armed with four marking rockets, he dauntlessly elected to attack an insurgent strongpoint and draw fire from the besieged convoy. Although Captain Chock received intense ground fire, he destroyed the Viet Cong position on his second strike. Despite damage to his plane, he continued to disregard his safety and started a third pass on another insurgent emplacement. As he bravely dove at the hostile position, his aircraft was raked by ground fire, which mortally wounded him, and caused the plane to crash. His unimpeachable valor succeeded in allowing the Vietnamese force to maneuver into an organized defense and repel the Viet Cong force. Captain Chock’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.