DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Headquarters, United States Army
Vietnam
APO San Francisco 96375
GENERAL ORDERS
NUMBER
119 |
13 January 1971
|
AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
| 1. TC 439.
The following AWARD is announced posthumously.
COPAS, ARDIE RA 262947677, SPECIALIST FOUR Company
C, 1st Battalion (mechanized), 5th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division,
APO 962
|
| Awarded: |
Distinguished Service Cross |
| Date of Action: |
12 May 70 |
| Theater: |
Republic of Viet Nam |
| Reason: |
For extraordinary heroism in connection with
military operations |
|
involving conflict with an armed hostile force
in the Republic of
Vietnam: Specialist Four Copas distinguished
himself while serving as a machine gunner aboard an armored personnel carrier
during operations near Ph Romeas Hek, Cambodia. In the early morning
hours of 12 May 1970, Specialist Copas’s company was suddenly attacked
by a large hostile force firing recoilless rifles, rocket propelled grenades,
and automatic weapons. After the specialist began returning fire,
his armored car was struck by an enemy recoilless round, knocking the specialist
to the ground and injuring four American soldiers beside the vehicle.
Ignoring his own wounds, the specialist quickly remounted the burning vehicle
and commenced firing his machine gun at the belligerents. Braving
the hostile fire directed at him and the possible detonation of the mortar
rounds inside the track, Specialist Copas maintained a heavy volume of
suppressive fire on the foe while the wounded Americans were safely evacuated.
Undaunted, he continued to place devastating volleys of fire upon the adversary
until he was mortally wounded when another enemy round hit his vehicle.
His daring action resulted in the safe evacuation of his comrades and prevented
injury or death to fellow Americans. Specialist Four Copas’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. |
|
ARDIE RAY COPAS
