beyond the call of duty while serving as commander of a strike force drawn from company d, fifth special forces group airborne during combat operations against an armed enemy in the city of chi lang republicic of vietnam.

staff morris' affiliated company were engaged by a hostile force. he learned by radio that a fellow team commander had been killed near an enemy bunker and reorganized his men into an effective assault posture before advancing forward and splitting off with two men to recover the team commander's body. observing the maneuver, the hostile force concentrated its fire on his three-man element and wounded both men accompanying him.

after assisting the two wounded back, staff sergeant morris charged forward with only his men suppressive fire as cover. while enemy gun placements were against him, staff sergeant morris destroyed the positions with hand grenades and continued his assault eliminating four bunkers. upon reaching the bunker nearest the fallen team commander, he repulsed the enemy and began the trek back to friendly lines. he was wounded three times as he struggled forward but succeeded in returning his fallen comrade to a fall safe position. they are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit

upon himself, his you noit and the united states army. -- his unit and the united states army. [applause] >> master sergeant first class jose rodela. master sergeant jose rodela served as a company commander b-36, company a, fifth special forces group, first special forces against an armed on september 1, 1969.

that afternoon, master sergeant rodela's battalion were under gun fire. ignoring the enemy fire, master sergeant rodela began placing his men into defensive positions to prevent the enemy overrunning the entire battalion exposing himself to enemy fire, he moved from position to position providing suppressing fire and assisting wounded and was wounded in the back and head while recovering a wounded comrade. alone, master sergeant rodela assaulted and knocked out the b-40 rocket positions before returning to the battalion's perimeter. his extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping

with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the united states army. \[applause] >> before jose returns to his seat, i just want to ask santiago and melvin to return to the stage, please. this is a remarkable moment.

and as they come up, i would like to recall -- take their positions, i would like to recall the words of a poet, though much is taken, much abides and tho we are not now that strength which in old days moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are. one equal temper of heroic

hearts, made weak by time and faith, but strong in will to strive to seek, to find and not to yield. santiago erevia, melvin morris, jose rodela, in the thick of the fight, all those years ago, for your comrades and your country, you refused to yield. and on behalf of a grateful nation, we all want to thank you for inspiring us, then and now, with your strength, your will and your heroic hearts. please give them a big round of applause. [applause] you will >> gentlemen, thank

you. please take your seats. we'll proceed with the rest of the ceremony. >> specialist 4, leonard l. alvarado. >> specialist 4 leonard alva

alverado distinguished himself above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a rifle man with company d, second battalion, 12th cavalry against an armed enemy in vietnam on august 12, 1969. on that day, specialist four alvarado moved through dens jungle to a friendly platoon. he detected enemy movement and opened fire. despite his quick reaction, he and his comrades were pinned down by the hostile force that blocked the path through the trapped platoon. he moved forward through the hostile machine gun fire in order to engage the enemy troops. suddenly, a grenade exploded nearby stunning him. retaliating immediately, he

is killed the enemy just as another enemy barage wounded him. he crawled forward to pull several comrades back. realizing his element needed to break away from the hostile force, he began maneuvering forward alone. thrown to the ground repeatedly, he kept advancing and firing, silencing several, including one enemy machine gun position. from his position he laid suppressive fire on the hostile forces and after the enemy troops had broken contact, his comrades discovered he died. for his extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life above and the call of duty are in keeping with the

highest traditions of service and reflects upon himself, his unit and the united states army. [applause] >> sergeant first class felix m conde-falcon. he distinguished himself while acting as an acting platoon letter in company d, first italian, 501st infantry regiment, third brigade, 82nd airborne division during combat operations in the republic of vietnam on april 4, 1969. while and filling a heavily wooded section, first-class conde-falcon and his company encountered a bunker complex later identified as a battalion

command post. following artillery and airstrikes on the enemy position, sergeant first class conde-falcon's platoon was selected to assault and clear the bunker fortifications. leon ahead of his platoon, sergeant first class conde-falcon charged. as the hostile fire increased, he crawled to the blind cried of the entrenchment position, jump to the roof, and tossed a grenade into the bunker aperture. he proceeded to two additional bunkers, both of which he destroyed. rejoining his platoon, he he advanced about 100 meters through the trees before coming under intense fire.

he moved towards the flanking position. he single-handedly assaulted the nearest fortification, killing the enemy inside before running out of ammunition. after returning to the three men with his empty up in and taking up an m-16 rifle, he concentrated on the next bunker. within 10 meters of his goal, sergeant first class conde-falcon was shot by an unseen assailant and soon died of his wound. his selflessness and heroism at the cost of his own life are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the united states army. [applause] >> specialist four ardie r. copas.

specialist for ardie r. copas distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a machine you gunner in company c, first and the tie-in mechanize, first infantry regiment, 23rd infantry regiment during combat operations in cambodia on may 12, 1970. that morning, the company was attacked by a large, hostile force firing rocket propelled grenades and automatic weapons. as specialist four copas returned fire, his car was struck, knocking him to the ground and injuring four american soldiers by the vehicle.

ignoring his wounds, specialist four copas remounted the burning vehicle and commenced firing his machine gun at the belligerents. breaking the hostile fire and a possible detonation of the mortar rounds inside the track, he maintained a heavy volume of suppressive fire on the foes while the wounded americans were safely evacuated. undaunted, specialist four copas continued to place devastating volleys of fire upon the adversary until he was mortally wounded when another enemy round hit his vehicle. specialist four copas' daring action resulted in the safe evacuation of his comrades. his extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the

call of duty, are in keeping with the highest additions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the united states army. [applause]

>> accepting on behalf of her father, specialist four jesus s. duran. specialist four jesus s. duran distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty all serving as an acting m-16 machine gunner in company e, of second battalion, fifth cavalry, first cavalry division air mobile in combat operations against armed enemy in the republic of vietnam on april 10, 1969. the reconnaissance platoon was moved into a bunker complex when the lead elements begin taking concentrated fire. the command post was in danger of being overrun. with an m-16 machine gun blazing from his hip, he rushed forward and assumed a defensive position