GARCIA, EDWARD
GARCIA, EDWARD
Specialist Fifth Class, U.S. Army
Company B, 4th Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne
Brigade (Separate),
Date of Action: November 21 & 23, 1967
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Edward
Garcia, Specialist Fifth Class, U.S. 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, 4th Battalion
(Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate). Specialist Four
Garcia distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 and 23
November 1967 while serving as engineer demolition specialist attached to an
airborne infantry company during the battle for Hill 875. While assaulting the
hill's enemy bunker and trench complex on 21 November, his unit was pinned down
by a withering barrage of mortar, rocket and automatic weapons fire. Specialist
Garcia completely disregarded his safety and charged the position delivering the
heaviest volume of fire on his comrades. Armed with a flamethrower, he advanced
through a curtain of small arms fire and exploding grenades until he reached a
suitable position to attack the bunker. His weapon failed to work, and he
sprinted back through the fusillade to secure a second flamethrower and then
returned to the front. The second weapon's fuel failed to ignite, so he sprayed
it into the enemy bunker and set it afire with a grenade. The fortification was
totally destroyed. On 23 November, Specialist Garcia led a furious assault which
reached the top of the hill and forced the enemy to pull back. Armed only with a
pistol, he ignored mortar rounds detonating all around him and inspired his
comrades to advance in the face of the determined hostile barrage. As he reached
the crest, he saw enemy mortars firing from a second hill and remained exposed
to a hail of incoming rounds to skillfully direct deadly counter-mortar fire on
the hostile emplacements. Specialist Four Garcia'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.
HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 873 (February 26, 1968)
http://www.homeofheroes.com/valor/1_Citations/07_RVN-dsc/dsc_07RVN-armyE.html