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 Francis Richard Webb (ASN: RA-16994487), 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 Company C, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Staff Sergeant Webb distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 1 February 1969 as a platoon sergeant on a company-size reconnaissance-in-force mission approximately seven miles west of Ben Cat. Approaching the vicinity of an enemy base camp, his company received intense rocket-propelled grenade, automatic weapons and small arms fire from three sides. Sergeant Webb obtained a machine gun and laid covering fire as the unit withdrew to regroup. Returning to his platoon, he organized a flanking movement against a bunker and spiderhole complex. He valiantly led a group forward against a bunker, but heavy hostile fire wounded one man and forced the others back. Sergeant Webb again remained exposed to the enemy barrage to provide covering fire. While maneuvering to the main body of the company, his assistant gunner was seriously wounded. Sergeant Webb unhesitatingly dropped his machine gun and crawled one hundred meters through the enemy fusillade with his stricken comrade. When he reached his platoon, he found that the platoon leader was incapacitated by wounds. Taking command, Sergeant Webb deployed his men, crawling among them to give encouragement and directions. As night approached, he took volunteers to secure two casualties and the machine gun. They reached the machine gun, which was then used against the bunkers. As they moved to their fallen comrades, Sergeant Webb destroyed a bunker with two light anti-tank weapons and eliminated the spider holes with fragmentation grenades, thereby permitting his men to retrieve the casualties to safety. Staff Sergeant Webb’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.