DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Headquarters, United States
Army Vietnam
APO San Francisco 96375
GENERAL ORDERS
NUMBER
1820 |
19 April 1968
|
AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
| LOBACK, THOMAS J US52753134, PRIVATE FIRST
CLASS E3 United States Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st
Battalion (Mechanized), 5th Infantry, 2d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division,
APO 96225 |
| Awarded: |
Distinguished Service Cross |
| Date of Action: |
19 February 1968 |
| 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: Private First Class Loback distinguished
himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 February 1968 as medical
aidman for an infantry platoon conduction a reconnaissance-in-force operation
near Hoc Mon. His platoon had just moved into a hedgerow when
it was subjected to intense small arms, automatic weapons and rocket fire
from a North Vietnamese Army battalion in well fortified positions.
One squad was immediately pinned down by the savage barrage and sustained
several casualties. Hearing a call for medical aid, Private Loback
unhesitantly crawled forward through a withering hail of bullets and flying
shrapnel, treated five wounded troops and assisted them to a position of
relative safety. Continuing to brave the ravaging hostile fusillade,
he raced across a bullet-swept rice field to the side of another wounded
comrade and skillfully treated him. The soldier had begun moving
toward cover when he was hit again by enemy sniper fire. Exposing
himself to a curtain of raking machine gun fire, Private Loback fearlessly
rushed back to the casualty and treated him a second time. Refusing
to abandon his lifesaving mission, he began to pull his seriously wounded
patient to safety. Private Loback was instantly killed by enemy automatic
weapons fire while gallantly placing the welfare of a fellow soldier above
his own in the heat of battle. Private First Class Loback’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 the provisions
of the Act of |
|
Congress, approved 25 July 1963. |
|
THOMAS JOHN LOBACK 
