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 Sergeant James N. Pruitt, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action on 17 July 1969 while serving with the Command and Control Detachment North, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, as a Team leader of a seven-man Long Range Reconnaissance Team operating deep within enemy territory on an intelligence-gathering mission. Shortly after insertion Sergeant Pruitt observed an enemy platoon approximately fifty meters from his position. Utilizing the advantage of surprise, Sergeant Pruitt led an assault upon the enemy platoon. Under Sergeant Pruitt’s professional guidance the team captured one enemy soldier and killed five more. However, in doing so they exposed their position and were soon surrounded by two more platoons of the enemy. During the ensuing firefight the prisoner of war was killed. Sergeant Pruitt directed airstrikes against the attacking force while his assistant team leader directed the team members’ fire. Sergeant Pruitt then saw another enemy soldier and recognized an opportunity to capture a prisoner of war. Sergeant Pruitt informed the Airborne Controller of his intentions and directed the air support to diminish momentarily. Taking his assistant team leader Sergeant Pruitt assaulted the enemy’s position. In this assault Sergeant Pruitt killed two more enemy and succeeded in capturing another insurgent. Upon returning to his team’s defensive perimeter, he requested emergency extraction. The enemy renewed their attack in a determined effort to annihilate the reconnaissance team, thus preventing the capture of one of their comrades. In this murderous assault one of the team members was killed and one seriously wounded. Realizing the importance of returning the prisoner of war to allied forces, Sergeant Pruitt threw his own body against the prisoner of war in an effort to prevent his death. However, the numerically superior enemy force gained fire superiority and seriously wounded Sergeant Pruitt and silenced their captured comrade. Although painfully wounded, Sergeant Pruitt continued to direct friendly airstrikes until so weakened by loss of blood he could not continue to do so, at which time the assistant team leader took command and directed the extraction. Throughout the entire action Sergeant Pruitt clearly and sincerely placed the importance of accomplishing his assigned mission above any other aspect, including his personal safety. Sergeant Pruitt’s team accounted for nine enemy soldiers killed with Sergeant Pruitt personally accounting for four of this number. Sergeant Pruitt’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, and the United States Army.