Distinguished Service Cross Klug, Herbert W. *
Rank and organization: Specialist Four, U.S. Army Company A 3nd Battalion, 7rd Infantry, 199th LIB
Place and Date: Republic of Vietnam, 1 March 1970
Reason: For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: While on a reconnaissance operation, near the village of Suoi Kiet, Specialist Klug's unit was ambushed by an enemy force of unknown size. Four of the six men in the lead element were wounded, and the platoon leader was mortally wounded. The company commander ordered the platoon to withdraw so he could call in support artillery fire on the enemy positions. Realizing that the enemy would immediately overrun the five trapped forward as soon as the platoon withdrew, Specialist Klug and two other comrades volunteered to try and rescue the wounded. Trying to reach the wounded soldiers, one of the three was wounded. Specialist Klug pulled the wounded soldier to safety and continued the search with his remaining buddy for the other wounded men. Finding two of the stranded and wounded soldiers, Specialist Klug and his comrade pulled these men back to the perimeter. While rescuing the two soldiers Specialist Klug was wounded. Despite this wound, Specialist Klug left the perimeter in search of the other wounded soldiers. Upon finding the wounded men Specialist Klug placed effective suppressive fire on the enemy while pulling the wounded men back toward the perimeter. While crossing an exposed rocky area, Specialist Klug was mortally wounded by a rocket-propelled grenade. His courage and concern for the welfare of his fellow soldires earned him the respect of all whom he served. Specialist Klug's extraordinary heroism st the cost of his life was 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