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 Private First Class Jack L. Marinacci (ASN: US-56588320), 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 Battery B, 6th Battalion, 29th Artillery Regiment, 4th Infantry Division Artillery, 4th Infantry Division. Private First Class Marinacci distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 14 August 1968 while serving with an artillery forward observer team accompanying a two-platoon reconnaissance patrol in the Central Highlands northwest of Dak To. While preparing a night location, the unit came under heavy enemy recoilless rifle, mortar and small arms fire. Realizing that immediate artillery support was required, Private Marinacci ran through the murderous fusillade to the forward observation post to assist in calling in artillery fire. Racing toward the post he was wounded, however he continued to the position where he found the company commander and the forward observer had been killed in action and the radios damaged. Ignoring his wounds, he fearlessly exposed himself to the aggressor’s fire until he located a working radio. Private Marinacci then assumed command of the surviving elements and made contact with the battalion commander. After leading his comrades out of the killing zone, he returned to the exposed hill top with a small group to evacuate the wounded. He left the area only after he conducted a complete check to insure that all wounded personnel had been evacuated. Private Marinacci then led the group to another night location where he established a tight defensive perimeter and adjusted artillery fire to provide security during the night. At daybreak he supervised the extraction of the unit by helicopter. Private First Class Marinacci’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.