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 Fourth Class David O. Villanueva (ASN: US-54719484), 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 C, 2d Battalion, 18th Infantry, 2d Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. Specialist Four Villanueva distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 7 February 1968 during a reconnaissance-in-force operation near Ben Cat. His unit engaged a well entrenched and numerically superior enemy force. During the initial minutes of the fight, the heavy volume of enemy fire caused numerous casualties. With complete disregard for his safety, Specialist Villanueva charged forward, braving a murderous hail of bullets to obtain a good firing position. Although completely exposed to the fierce barrage, he delivered deadly fire on the enemy from a tactically advantageous location. During the battle, four grenades were thrown into his position. Each time he courageously picked up the armed explosive and hurled it back, finally killing the two insurgents who had thrown them. When the machine gun he was firing became inoperative, he ran back to his unit’s perimeter to obtain another weapon. He then returned to his position with a grenade launcher and continued to silence enemy fortifications with extremely accurate fire. After expending all his ammunition, he picked up an automatic rifle and charged the Viet Cong emplacements, eliminating them with a devastating hail of fire. His courageous actions inspired his comrades to press the attack and completely rout the insurgents. Specialist Four Villanueva’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.