Distinguished Service Cross Morris, Wayne H.
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Company A 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry, 199th LIB
Place and Date: Republic of Vietnam, 6 December 1967
Reason: For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: First Lieutenant Morris distingushed himself by exceptionally valorous action on 6 December 1967 as platoon leader of an infantry unit on a reconnaissance-in-force mission near Phuoc Loc. Enemy mortars had pounded his base camp the previous night, and he led his men to locate the weapons emplacement. Moving through dense jungle, his platoon was hit by claymore mines, automatic weapons and rocket fire from a well entrenched Viet Cong battalion. The violence of the attach disorganized his men and pinned them down, but Lieutenant Morris, disregarding the intense fire, moved through the ravaging fusillade to rally and reorganize them. After establishing a base of fire, he moved to the front of his troops and led a fierce assault on the hostile fortifications. The overwhelming enemy firepower threw his men back three times, and he was ordered to withdraw and reorganize. Repeatedly braving withering fire, he moved across the battlefield to locate friendly casualties and carry them to safety. After reaching the evacuation site with the wounded, he returned to assure that none of his men were left behind. When reinforcements arrived, Lieutenant Morris led his men through raging enemy fire to attach the determined Viet Cong. With bullets striking all around him, he fought furiously and encouraged and inspired his men to overrun and defeat the enemy forces. First Lieutenant Morris's 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 States Army.
Authority: By direction of the President under provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 25 July 1963.