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 Jon E. Scott, 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 B, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Sergeant Scott distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 5 November 1969 while serving as squad leader with a reconnaissance patrol during an operation southwest of Landing Zone Tape. Hearing enemy movement in the distance, the patrol proceeded to the area from which the sounds came and there discovered as enemy base camp situated in four natural caves. As the surprised enemy scurried for their cave fortifications, the patrol took them under fire and succeeded in capturing one of the enemy. From the caves the enemy responded with heavy automatic weapons fire. Seeing one enemy soldier run into a cave alone, Sergeant Scott approached the cave, entered, and captured the surprised enemy. Sergeant Scott then turned his attention to the other caves. Under continuous and intense fire, he maneuvered to the openings of the caves one by one and hurled hand grenades inside. At the mouth of the largest cave, from which the heaviest enemy fire was coming, Sergeant Scott tossed grenades within and killed one enemy soldier. He then rushed inside the cave to engage the remaining defenders and was severely wounded in a barrage of automatic weapons fire. Sergeant Scott’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.