Staff Sergeant* Jon Robert CAVAIANI

S/Sgt. Cavaiani distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 4 and 5 June 1971 while serving as a platoon leader to a security platoon providing security for an isolated radio relay site located within enemy-held territory. 

On the morning of 4 June 1971, the entire camp came under an intense barrage of enemy small-arms, automatic-weapons, rocket-propelled-grenade and mortar fire from a superior size enemy force. S/Sgt. Cavaiani acted with complete disregard for his personal safety as he repeatedly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire in order to move about the camp's perimeter directing the platoon's fire and rallying the platoon in a desperate fight for survival. 

S/Sgt. Cavaiani also returned heavy suppressive fire upon the assaulting enemy force during this period with a variety of weapons. When the entire platoon was to be evacuated, S/Sgt. Cavaiani unhesitatingly volunteered to remain on the ground and direct the helicopters into the landing zone. S/Sgt. Cavaiani was able to direct the first three helicopters in evacuating a major portion of the platoon. Due to intense increase in enemy fire, S/Sgt. Cavaiani was forced to remain at the camp overnight where he calmly directed the remaining platoon members in strengthening their defenses. 

On the morning of 5 June, a heavy ground fog restricted visibility. The superior size enemy force launched a major ground attack in an attempt to completely annihilate the remaining small force. The enemy force advanced in two ranks, first firing a heavy volume of small-arms, automatic-weapons, and rocket-propelled-grenade fire while the second rank continuously threw a steady barrage of hand grenades at the beleaguered force. 

S/Sgt. Cavaiani returned a heavy barrage of small-arms and hand-grenade fire on the assaulting enemy force but was unable to slow them down. He ordered the remaining platoon members to attempt to escape while he provided them with cover fire. With one last courageous exertion, S/Sgt. Cavaiani recovered a machine gun, stood up, completely exposing himself to the heavy enemy fire directed at him, and began firing the machine gun in a sweeping motion along the two ranks of advancing enemy soldiers. Through S/Sgt. Cavaiani's valiant efforts with complete disregard for his safety, the majority of the remaining platoon members were able to escape. While inflicting severe losses on the advancing enemy force, SSgt. Cavaiani was wounded numerous times. 

S/Sgt. Cavaiani's conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism, and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.

Captain Paris D. Davis

Then-Capt. Paris D. Davis distinguished himself through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as commander of an Alpha Detachment, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, in the vicinity of Bong Son, Republic of Vietnam, June 17-18, 1965.

Davis, along with three American Special Forces personnel, led an inexperienced company of the 883rd South Vietnamese Regional Force during an attack against an enemy base.

On the evening of June 17, 1965, Davis personally captured two enemy personnel for questioning. From them, he learned that a vastly larger enemy force was operating in the area. That night, Davis guided his Soldiers into attack positions and at dawn he led his company into battle.

Davis was wounded leading the initial assault, but continued moving forward, personally engaging the enemy in hand-to-hand combat and killing several enemy soldiers. The enemy counterattacked and separated Davis from his troops. Davis then led four others forward and, while braving intense fire, managed to destroy gun emplacements and capture several enemy soldiers.

Davis moved to regroup his forces and break contact with the enemy. As he called for air and artillery fire, the enemy again counterattacked and Davis was struck by automatic weapons fire. He was wounded once again after an enemy soldier engaged him at close range with his rifle, but Davis tackled the enemy and defeated him in hand-to-hand combat. Davis then saw two American Soldiers were seriously wounded and in need of rescue from hostile fire.

Davis made it to the first Soldier under a hail of enemy fire and was shot once again. Despite his grievous wounds and with no regard for his own safety, Davis saved the Soldier and returned him to the company's perimeter.

Davis again broke cover, braving enemy fire, to retrieve the second Soldier. Crawling nearly 150 yards and wounded by enemy grenade fragments, he rescued the Soldier and returned him to the company perimeter.

Davis then directed the helicopter extraction of his wounded troops while refusing medical evacuation for himself. Instead, he directed tactical air and artillery fire, ensuring the destruction of the enemy force.

Davis' selfless actions and personal courage were decisive in changing the tide of the battle, ensuring that American Soldiers were not killed or taken prisoner, preventing the South Vietnamese company from being overrun, and ensuring the defeat of a numerically superior enemy force.

His extraordinary heroism and selflessness beyond the call of duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.