The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Private First Class David Paul Nash (ASN: 51948500), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a grenadier with Company B, 2d Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Giao Duc District, Dinh Tuong Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 29 December 1968. When an ambush patrol of which Private First Class Nash was a member suddenly came under intense attack before reaching its destination, he was the first to return the enemy fire. Taking an exposed location, Private First Class Nash suppressed the hostile fusillade with a rapid series of rounds from his grenade launcher, enabling artillery fire to be adjusted on the enemy. After the foe had been routed, his small element continued to the ambush site where he established a position with three fellow soldiers on a narrow dike. Shortly past midnight, while Private First Class Nash and a comrade kept watch and the two other men took their turn sleeping, an enemy grenade wounded two soldiers in the adjacent position. Seconds later, Private First Class Nash saw another grenade land only a few feet from his own position. Although he could have escaped harm by rolling down the other side of the dike, he shouted a warning to his comrades and leaped upon the lethal explosive. Absorbing the blast with his body, he saved the lives of the three men in the area at the sacrifice of his life. By his gallantry at the cost of his life are in the highest traditions of the military service, Private First Class Nash has reflected great credit on himself, his unit, and the United States Army.