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 Jerry D. Clayton (ASN: US-56826809), 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 D, 2d Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 3d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Private First Class Clayton distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 23 March 1968 while serving as a rifleman during a search and destroy operation near Hue. His unit came under intense enemy fire which caused several casualties. As medics maneuvered towards two of the wounded, Private Clayton placed fire on hostile positions and stood up to draw the communists’ fire upon himself and away from the aidmen. When medics reached the injured soldiers, he joined them in their completely exposed area to provide suppressive covering fire for them as they worked to save their patients. Later, five men including two medics were wounded and pinned down by the fusillade. Exposing himself to the heavy machine gun fire, Private Clayton secured a supply of battle dressings and maneuvered to them to treat their wounds. After dragging a seriously wounded medical officer seventy-five meters to a place of relative safety, he returned through the bullet-swept area to aid another man who was bleeding profusely. He tended his comrade’s wounds and then returned to the medical officer to further treat his extensive injuries. Private Clayton next called in mortar and aerial rocket artillery support on the enemy as he shielded his patient from continuing fire. With the help of another man he then dragged the officer seventy-five meters to an evacuation point. Private First Class Clayton’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.