The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Robert Benjamin Sanzone (ASN: US-51579676), 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 B, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. Sergeant Sanzone distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 18 May 1967 while serving as squad leader with a weapons platoon during a search and destroy mission in Pleiku Province. Sergeant Sanzone’s platoon was sent 200 meters forward of his company to provide security for the main force. Before the men had a chance to position themselves, they received intense rifle and machine gun fire. Sergeant Sanzone was hit five or six times immediately, but ignored the pain to direct his squad in placing a base of effective fire on the Viet Cong. Five insurgents tried to attack his position, but he killed them with his rifle. Later, another ten tried to overrun his perimeter sector, and he stopped them with both grenade and rifle fire. When fellow patrol members tried to reach cover in a river bed, Sergeant Sanzone disregarded his own safety and exposed himself to the enemy to draw their fire. He continuously crawled from one friendly casualty to another to treat their wounds and to help them reach covered positions. Although weakened by his wounds, he continued to repel the insurgents. Seeing a swarm of Viet Cong storm the friendly line again, Sergeant Sanzone charged them, firing his rifle on full automatic. He was mortally wounded in this valiant attempt to protect his comrades. Sergeant Sanzone’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.