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 Specialist Fifth Class Orville Wilson Sergent, III, 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 366th Aviation Detachment (Divisional), 165th Combat Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade. Specialist Fifth Class Sergent distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 11 May 1969 during an enemy attack on Fire Base Oasis. Specialist Sergent moved through the barrage of incoming mortar rounds to take up a position on the perimeter. When the bombardment ceased and a force of about one hundred sappers armed with satchel charges and grenades stormed the berm, Specialist Sergent delivered a fusillade of rifle fire on the assailants. Despite the heavy retaliatory fire, the enemy penetrated the defense line. Specialist Sergent immediately left his bunker and directly engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. Seeming to be everywhere at once, he shot a sniper who had wounded one of his comrades. He eliminated two more enemy sappers while fighting his way toward two wounded men, whom he succeeded in removing to safety. When a hostile sniper killed the detachment sergeant who was attempting to secure munitions from a conex container, Specialist Sergent quickly shot the sniper and then carried the needed ammunition to several firing points. For two hours he continued to engage the enemy, always remaining in the open, and he proved most instrumental in repelling the hostile force and in preventing another penetration. Specialist Fifth Class Sergent’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.