The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Alfred Patrick L. Coffroth (ASN: RA-19844301), 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 A, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry, 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Sergeant Coffroth distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 January 1968 as an infantry squad leader on a search and destroy mission in the village of Dong Loch. A large enemy force had moved into the village and set up heavily fortified positions. Sergeant Coffroth’s company was moving up to sweep the hamlet when it encountered intense automatic weapons and small arms fire from numerous enemy emplacements. Under a curtain of fire, Sergeant Coffroth immediately moved his squad to a more protected position. Upon reaching it, his element came under heavy grazing fire from a flanking bush line. With complete disregard for his safety, Sergeant Coffroth maneuvered to the edge of the brush, killed five of the enemy, and captured three automatic weapons and a rocket launcher. As he led his squad into the bush line, it received automatic weapons fire from a fortified bunker. Again exposing him self to a hail of bullets, Sergeant Coffroth destroyed the position with a rocket launcher, killing thirteen more insurgents. Ordering his men to withdraw, he provided covering fire for them, killing two snipers. Before he could reach a protected position for himself, Sergeant Coffroth was mortally wounded by small arms fire. Sergeant Coffroth’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.