2nd Battalion 47th Infantry In Honor of Our Scout's

SCHULTZ, ROBERT W RA 17631005     (SSAN xxxxxxxxx)     STAFF SERGEANT     E 6 United States Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, APO 96370

   Awarded: Distinguished Service Cross
   Date Action: 31 January 1968
  Theater: Republic of Vietnam

Reason: For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Schultz distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 January 1968 as squad leader of a mechanized infantry platoon on a combat mission in the village of Ho Nai. His squad and other members of the platoon became isolated and encircled by a numerically superior force firing recoilless rifles, machine guns, and automatic weapons. The troops on the ground were immediately pinned down by the savage fusillade and Sergeant Schultz' armored personnel carrier was forced to halt. To relive the pressure on his comrades he leaped from the vehicle and assaulted an enemy machine gun nest, single- handedly destroying it and its occupants. Although seriously wounded, he again disregarded his safety and unleashed another personal attack on a second machine gun position. Hurling grenades as he charged through a curtain of hostile fire, Sergeant Schultz killed the entire gun crew. He was mortally wounded while gallantly defending his fellow soldiers in the heat of battle. Staff Sergeant Schultz' 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.

   Authority: By direction of the President under provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 25 July 1963.

BARNES, BRICE H. 02326319     (SSAN XXXXXXXXX)     FIRST LIEUTENANT INFANTRY United States Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, APO 96370

   Awarded: Distinguished Service Cross
   Date Action: 31 January 1968
  Theater: Republic of Vietnam

Reason: For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. First Lieutenant Barnes distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 January 1968 as a scout platoon leader while defending against the communists Lunar New year offensive. Enemy forces gained control of Widow's Village and entrenched themselves in its northeast sector. Lieutenant Barnes took command of all friendly forces in the town and launched a fierce assault on the insurgents. Repeatedly disregarding his safety, he braved withering fire to direct civilians in the battle area to safety. Bullets struck all around hi, but he refused to take cover and led a house to house sweep, personally destroying a recoilless rifle and an automatic weapon position. His platoon's aggressive assault and relentless fire forced the Viet Cong to withdraw. Later in the day his unit was sent to the nearby village of Ho Nai. His platoon was quickly engaged by a hostile force firing machine guns, recoilless rifles and automatic weapons. Caught in the murderous crossfire, Lieutenant barnes dismounted his personnel carrier and moved among his men to direct their counterfire on the enemy. part of his platoon became isolated and pinned down by the intense Viet Cong barrage, and he exposed himself to a hail of bullets and shrapnel to direct gun ship strikes on the enemy positions surrounding the beleaguered element. His fearless leadership and heroic actions inspired his men to fight furiously and inflict a decisive defeat on the numerically superior and determined Viet Cong forces, resulting in seventy-seven enemy killed and ten captured. First Lieutenant Barnes' 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 Sates Army.

   Authority: By direction of the President under provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 25 July 1963.