JUSTINIANO, VICTOR A., JR.
JUSTINIANO, VICTOR A., JR.
Private First Class, U.S. Army
Company B, 3d Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne
Brigade,
Date of Action: March 3, 1968
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is
presented to Victor A. Justiniano, Jr., Private First 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, 3d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade.
Private First Class Justiniano distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous
actions on 3 March 1968 as the medic of an infantry platoon conducting a search
and destroy mission in the central highlands near Kontum. the patrol was
following the trail of a wounded North Vietnamese soldier when it came under a
heavy automatic weapons and rocket attack. The enemy was only ten meters to the
front, entrenched in a reinforced bunker complex. Two men of the point element
were wounded in the initial volley of fire. With complete disregard for his
safety, Private Justiniano moved forward to aid them. As he advanced, he was
wounded several times by automatic weapons fire and shrapnel from an exploding
rocket. Ignoring his wounds, he crawled forward and finally reached the position
where his two comrades lay exposed to enemy fire. He moved one man to safety and
treated him. He then returned for the other soldier who was almost directly in
front of an enemy position. As he attempted to rescue the casualty, Private
Justiniano was mortally wounded. Private First Class Justiniano'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.
HQ US Army, Vietnam, General
Orders No. 3600 (July 26, 1968)
Home Town: New York, New York
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