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 Staff Sergeant John Henry Iacovacci (ASN: RA-16657185), 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 Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion (Mechanized), 23d Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Staff Sergeant Iacovacci distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 28 March 1969 while serving as platoon sergeant of the scouting element of a reconnaissance-in-force mission. Without warning the platoon came under flanking enemy crossfire. A rocket-propelled grenade rendered the rearmost vehicle of the column inoperative and knocked the crew to the ground. Since the machine gun still malfunctioned, the crew members remounted the personnel carrier, only to be hit again. Seeing the wounded soldiers helplessly stranded, Sergeant Iacovacci directed his men to initiate suppressive fire while he led forth a rescue party. En route, he personally wiped out an enemy rocket-propelled grenade team. On reaching the disabled vehicle, he administered first aid to a wounded soldier and removed him to a pickup point. As he was dragging a second man to safety, he observed an enemy automatic weapons site, which he single-handedly eliminated with grenades. On his third trip with an injured man, he discovered the body of another crew member, and carried both to safety. After loading the casualties in an armored personnel carrier, he remained in the hazardous area directing effective fire until the enemy was silenced. Staff Sergeant Iacovacci’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.