Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Armor)

    Regiment:

    16th Armored Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade

    Action Date:

    March 4, 1968

    Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1196 (April 7, 1969)

    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) Robert F. Helmick (ASN: OF-104112), 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 D, 16th Armored Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade. Captain Helmick distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 4 March 1968 while engaged with a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army/Viet Cong force which had captured the northern half of the city of Tuy Hoa. When one of his armored personnel carriers was hit by an enemy rocket during an attack on the entrenched communists, Captain Helmick moved his vehicle over to the disabled track to prevent it from being overrun until both carrier and crew were evacuated. Although weak from loss of blood because of wounds received in the morning, he continued to spearhead his company’s efforts and late in the afternoon the enemy was trapped on all sides. Finding that his fire was having no effect against one fortification on the final assault, he jumped from his track with an automatic rifle and killed the occupants of the bunker. Two armored personnel carriers on his right flank received direct hits from hostile rockets and Captain Helmick was again wounded. With complete disregard for his safety, he brought heavy fire against the communists while his stricken comrades were evacuated and exposed himself to the murderous fusillade until the enemy was defeated. Captain Helmick’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.