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 Staff Sergeant Michael Clinton McCain (ASN: RA-14766542), 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 Detachment A-244, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Staff Sergeant McCain distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 9 May 1968 as Special Forces advisor to a company-size Vietnamese force on a combat mission near Dak To. When his company was hit with intense rocket and mortar fire from a numerically superior force of North Vietnamese Army Regulars, he quickly established a defensive perimeter. The insurgents launched a devastating ground assault from three sides of the unit’s position, and Sergeant McCain exposed himself to withering enemy fire in order to rally his men. Although wounded, he fearlessly continued to engage the determined attackers. Informed that the senior advisor had been seriously wounded, he decided to remain behind with the man although his company had been ordered to withdraw. Fighting a furious delaying action against the insurgents’ onslaught, he enabled his troops to reach safety. He was mortally wounded while gallantly and unselfishly placing the lives of his men above his own in the heat of battle. Staff Sergeant McCain’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.