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 Sergeant First Class Michael Joe Hurtt, 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 Airborne Advisory Detachment, Team 162, United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. Sergeant First Class Hurtt distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions during the period 9 to 13 May 1970 while advising a group of Vietnamese soldiers during combat operations in Cambodia. On 9 May 1970, as Sergeant Hurtt and his unit advanced in search of suspected enemy locations, they were aggressively engaged by numerically superior enemy elements firing automatic weapons, rockets, and small arms. Although Sergeant Hurtt immediately directed devastating air and ground artillery rounds upon the hostile soldiers surrounding the friendly force, the enemy initiated a series of ground assaults in an attempt to overrun the allies. Exposing himself to the intense incoming fire, the sergeant stood alone in an open position to accurately adjust the aerial rocket artillery to within twenty-five meters of his position. Sergeant Hurtt directed numerous air strikes on other nearby enemy positions as the hostile forces massed for subsequent ground assaults. This action broke the enemy’s initiative and enabled the allies to withdraw to a more defensible area. As the allies moved to their new position, they were suddenly confronted by three hostile soldiers firing AK-47 rifles. Ignoring the hostile fire, Sergeant Hurtt stepped forward and eliminated all three with a well-aimed burst of rifle fire. Shortly after the allies established their new defensive position, the enemy struck again. Throughout that night and the following day as the enemy continuously probed the friendly defenses, Sergeant Hurtt exposed himself to the fusillade to direct allied supporting fire upon the enemy. Although he became the focal point of enemy fire on numerous occasions, he never faltered in his actions and served as an inspiration to his weary troopers to maintain their defensive efforts. When the allies ran perilously low on ammunition, the sergeant marked his position with smoke grenades so that accurate re-supply attempts could be effected. Sergeant Hurtt’s untiring efforts throughout the engagement enabled the allies to repel the enemy assaults and escape with only minimum casualties. Sergeant First Class Hurtt’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.