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 First Class Antonio J. Coehlo, Jr., 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 Special Operations Augmentation, Command and Control Detachment (North), 5th Special forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Sergeant First Class Coehlo distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 10, 11, 14 and 15 August 1970 while serving as team leader during two rescue operations deep within enemy controlled territory. Shortly after being inserted by helicopter into the landing zone, Sergeant Coehlo’s three-man rescue team engaged a large hostile force. The enemy fire was so intense that the small American patrol was pinned down until the sergeant could direct tactical air strikes upon the adversary. During allied movement from the contact area, Sergeant Coehlo engaged and eliminated an enemy sniper preparing to fire at his comrades. Upon reaching the pickup site, an extraction helicopter returned the team to their base camp. In the following days, Sergeant Coehlo’s element was again inserted into hostile territory in an attempt to rescue three wounded American soldiers. After disembarking in the landing zone, his patrol came under intense enemy fire. Observing an allied soldier fall to the ground, the sergeant immediately raced through the barrage of bullets to assist his downed comrade and to administer emergency first aid to his wounds. Realizing the gravity of their exposed position, Sergeant Coehlo summoned helicopter gunships and medical helicopters to the embattled area. Once again braving the enemy fusillade, the sergeant moved the injured soldiers from their insecure location to defensive cover within the allied perimeter. Then, the determined sergeant remained in the open while coordinating the friendly gunship fire at the belligerents. Through the sergeant’s daring actions, the persistent foe was effectively repelled and all personnel were safely extracted from the combat area. Sergeant First Class Coehlo’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.