Distinguished Service Cross Denney, William H. Jr. *
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army Company D 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry, 199th LIB
Place and Date: Republic of Vietnam, 2 February 1969
Reason: For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Captain Denney distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 2 February 1969 while leading his company in an attach on enemy troops occupying a well-concealed, fortified bunker complex in the vicinity of Phu Hoa Dong, approximately nine miles northeast of Cu Chi. Throughout the day, Captain Denney repeatedly exposed himself to the hostile fire as he moved about the battlefield to direct and encourage his men, frequently spearheading assaults and destrying several bunkers single-handedly. Seeing an element of his company pinned down by automatic weapons fire, he ran through a hail of bullets to a machine gun crew and led it to a position where suppressive fire could be delivered. When one of his soldiers was wounded during an assault, he braved the communists' barrage to rescue the man, but was struck by hostile machine gun fire and fell backwards into a ditch. Leaving the protection of the ditch, he again tried to reach the casualty and was mortally wounded by the enemy fusillade. Captain Denney'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.
Authority: By direction of the President under provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 25 July 1963.
* Posthumous award