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 Captain (Armor) Thomas V. McCarthy (ASN: 0-5318226), 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, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Captain McCarthy distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 18 January 1968. Captain McCarthy distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 18 January 1967 while serving as company commander during a search and destroy mission in the Don Dien Filhol Plantation. Captain McCarthy led his unit into an area heavily defended by fortifications, trenches, and mine fields. The infantry was following in the tracks of tanks when two lead tanks tripped large mines and were disabled. As the men dove for cover, several were wounded by booby traps and explosions of numerous command detonated mines. When the insurgents commenced rifle fire from a bunker 15 meters to the front, Captain McCarthy realized that his exposed men were in critical danger from this point. Heedless of his own safety, he charged the hostile emplacement with mines exploding all around him. He was blown to the ground by one blast, which wounded one of his radio operators and killed the other. Captain McCarthy leaped up and dauntlessly resumed his assault, but was knocked down by another explosion. Ignoring his wounds, he again sprang to his feet, sprayed the Viet Cong bunker with rifle fire as he ran towards it, and blew it apart with hand grenades. Having destroyed the source of fire and command detonated mines, he ran back through the booby trapped field, called for medical aid men, and began to treat the casualties himself. His calm courage had prevented panic during the violent attack and saved many men from becoming casualties. Captain McCarthy’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.